2005 Election Cycle

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 Senate, District 15 Special 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

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.

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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

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.

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11/22/2005 State Senate, District 19 Special 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

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.

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11/22/2005 State Senate, District 43 Special 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

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.

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11/01/2005 State Senate, District 19 Special Primary 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.

Sawatzke was Wright County Commissioner.

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