Sen. Johnson Speaks On MN Senate Vacancies

Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks spoke with R&J News about two Senate seats that have suddenly opened.  The first opening came Monday when DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell resigned after a jury in Detroit Lakes found her guilty of breaking into her stepmother’s home.

Then later on Monday, came news that Republican Senator Bruce Anderson had died at age 75.

Normally there are no elections for state offices in an odd numbered year, but Johnson says the vacancies left by Mitchell and Anderson will mean Governor Tim Walz will have to call special elections.

Johnson was referring to the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic last December that led to a special election in January….and the resignation of Senator Justin Eichorn after he was arrested in an underage prostitution sting.