Special elections were conducted in 2005 for three state Senate seats to fill vacancies caused by Republican resignations. The DFL flipped two of these districts: SD 43 in November and SD 15 in December. The DFL held its seat for the lone special election conducted for the House of Representatives (HD 15B in December).
Elections
Date
Office
Stage
Winners
Details
12/27/2005
State House, District 15B
Special
Larry Haws (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 3,576 votes (70.84%) and a winning margin of +44.65
Candidate
Gender
Party
Votes
Percent
Larry Haws
Man
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
3,576
70.84
Kay Ek
Woman
Write-In
1,322
26.19
Scattering
Write-In
150
2.97
Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Representative Joe Opatz on December 15, 2005 to become the Interim President of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Tarryl Clark (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 6,572 votes (55.38%) and a winning margin of +18.12
Candidate
Gender
Party
Votes
Percent
Tarryl Clark
Woman
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
6,572
55.38
Dan (Ox) Ochsner
Man
Republican
4,422
37.26
Dan Becker
Man
Independence
826
6.96
Scattering
Write-In
47
0.40
Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Republican Senator Dave Kleis who was elected Mayor of St. Cloud on November 8, 2005.
Amy T. Koch (Republican) won with 3,574 votes (51.83%) and a winning margin of +20.38
Candidate
Gender
Party
Votes
Percent
Amy T. Koch
Woman
Republican
3,574
51.83
John Deitering
Man
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
2,169
31.46
Del Haag
Man
Independence
1,145
16.61
Scattering
Write-In
7
0.10
Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Republican Senator Mark Ourada effective December 31, 2005 after taking a position with the Center for Energy and Economic Development. Koch was a resident of Buffalo and worked for a utility services company. Deitering was a resident of Buffalo and ran a tax preparation business. Haag was a resident of Buffalo and Buffalo City Councilman.
Terri E. Bonoff (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 5,745 votes (54.44%) and a winning margin of +8.94
Candidate
Gender
Party
Votes
Percent
Terri E. Bonoff
Woman
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
5,745
54.44
Judy Johnson
Woman
Republican
4,802
45.50
Scattering
Write-In
6
0.06
Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Republican Senator David Gaither on September 21, 2005 to become Governor Tim Pawlenty's Chief of Staff.
Amy T. Koch (Republican) won with 1,702 votes (60.06%) and a winning margin of +20.11
Candidate
Gender
Party
Votes
Percent
Amy T. Koch
Woman
Republican
1,702
60.06
Pat Sawatzke
Man
Republican
1,132
39.94
Special primary election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Republican Senator Mark Ourada effective December 31, 2005 after taking a position with the Center for Energy and Economic Development. Koch was a resident of Buffalo and worked for a utility services company.