MN Senate District 6 results are in
We now know the two candidates who will face off in the special election for Minnesota Senate District 6, which covers Brainerd and areas to the north of the city stretching to Grand Rapids.
(FOX 9) – The Minnesota DFL has accused Republican candidate Keri Heintzeman in the race to replace former Sen. Justin Eichorn of breaking campaign finance laws.
Heintzeman accused of breaking campaign finance laws
What they’re saying:
The DFL is accusing Keri Heintzeman of breaking campaign finance laws by reportedly accepting more than $1,000 per donor.
Heintzeman accepted donations from nine separate donors for $2,000. Minnesota state law states that state senators cannot accept donations of more than $1,000 per donor.
Documents filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board show nine individuals who donated $1,000 to Heintzeman and then another $1,000 at a later date.
“It’s no surprise that someone who was at the Capitol on January 6 doesn’t respect Minnesota’s election laws,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom regarding the complaint. “Keri Heintzeman broke the law to advance her campaign and has no business serving in the Legislature.”
The other side:
FOX 9 reached out to Heintzeman for comment regarding the complaint, and had not heard back by the time of this publishing.
Heintzeman wins primary for Senate District 6 special election
Dig deeper:
Heintzeman defeated seven other candidates, earning a whopping 46.7% of the vote, to earn the GOP nomination. Denise Slipy was the only DFL candidate running and will represent the party.
Heintzeman is the wife of Rep. Josh Heintzeman, the Minnesota House rep for the Brainerd area. Heintzeman previously worked as a district director for the Trump 2024 campaign and owns a recreational rental business in Nisswa.
The backstory:
MN Sen. Eichorn arrest: Candidates seek to replace him in Senate
Jennifer Carnahan is the latest candidate to announce her plans to run for former Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn’s seat after he resigned following an arrest in a minor sex sting operation in Bloomington. Carnahan, who is currently the mayor of Nisswa, served as the chairwoman of the Minnesota GOP. She stepped down after Anton Lazarro was federally charged with child sex trafficking. She had close ties to Lazarro. After he announcement, the Minnesota DFL party released a statement, “”It’s disgraceful that the Minnesota GOP might replace a Senator who resigned after a child prostitution arrest with a former Minnesota GOP Chair who resigned because of her ties with a child sex trafficker.”
The special election comes after the seat was left vacant by Eichorn, who resigned after he was reportedly caught up in a prostitution sting.
Police say Eichorn attempted to solicit a teen girl for sex but was really texting with an undercover police officer in Bloomington. He was arrested when he allegedly showed up to meet with the girl and is now facing federal charges in the case. He resigned days after his arrest.
READ MORE: MN Senate District 6 primary results: Who will run for Sen. Eichorn seat?
The Source: This report was written from a press release from the DFL, the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board and past FOX 9 reporting.