Denise Slipy (D) and Keri Heintzeman (R) are running in the special election for District 6 of the Minnesota Senate on April 29, 2025. The previous incumbent, Justin Eichorn (R), resigned on March 20, 2025, after his arrest for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor for sex.

In the 2022 Senate elections, the chamber changed from a one-seat Republican majority to a one-seat Democratic majority. The District 6 vacancy created a temporary 34-32 Democratic majority. This means that if Slipy wins, Democrats will expand their majority to 35-32, and if Heintzeman wins, the chamber will return to a 34-33 Democratic majority.

The district switched to Republican control in 2022, when Eichorn, who previously represented District 5, won the seat following redistricting and long-time incumbent David Tomassoni’s (D) death. Tomassoni represented the district from 2001 to 2022. In the 2022 general election, Eichorn defeated Steve Samuelson (D) 63.5%-36.4%. In 2020, Tomassoni defeated John Moren (R) 57%- 42.8%.

Slipy is an environmental health and safety professional, OSHA instructor, and first responder. Slipy said she considered running for District 6B of the Minnesota House in 2026, but the Senate vacancy changed her path: “Who knew that this was going to happen, right? So it kind of expedited my run.”

Slipy said, “I just want fair labor equity, equity for pay and to build our community back. Brainerd used to be the place to go for jobs. We had Potlatch, we had the railroad, and a lot of those good jobs left here, and now we’re resort country, which is fantastic because we do have the most beautiful area, in my opinion, but, yeah, you can’t afford to work in the county that you live.” Her campaign website listed the environment, the economy, healthcare, education, and mining as key issues.

Heintzeman was the director of President Donald Trump’s (R) 2024 campaign in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Her husband Josh Heintzeman (R) represents state House District 6B. Together, they run a small business called Up Country Log and operate rental properties. Keri Heintzeman said, “I believe this district is blood red and loves President Trump and deserves a senator that will represent those values.”

Heintzeman said, “I am running for the Minnesota Senate to champion the values we hold dear — fiscal responsibility, personal freedom and government transparency. Together, we can create an environment where families thrive, businesses grow, and our children have a bright and safe future.” Her campaign website also stated, “As a pro-life advocate, she will defend the rights of the unborn and work to promote a culture that respects life at all stages.”

Minnesota has a divided government due to the 67-67 tie formed in the state House by the 2024 elections. Democrats gained control of the Senate in 2022 for the first time since 2012, and the governor of Minnesota is Tim Walz (D).