Democrat Meg Luger-Nikolai won her race to represent Minnesota HD-64A with the largest margin in a state legislative special election since 2017

Even in the wake of tragedy, Minnesotans are coming together and showing up to fight back against Republicans’ extreme agenda at the ballot box. During last night’s special elections, Democratic candidates Shelley Buck and Meg Luger-Nikolai clinched landslide victories in the Minnesota House District 47A and House District 64A races.

Rep.-elect Luger-Nikolai won her race with the largest margin in a state legislative special election since 2017, further underscoring Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms. 

As voters resoundingly sour on Trump’s failing agenda, they are putting their faith in commonsense Democratic leaders fighting to lower costs and build brighter futures for every Minnesotan.  

In response to Buck and Luger-Nikolai’s victories, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“My community is hurting — but we are also fighting and showing up, for each other and at the ballot box. With Representative-elect Buck and Luger-Nikolai’s victories, Minnesotans now have two more Democratic champions who will fight to lower costs, protect health care, and protect our community from federal overreach and violence. It’s never been more important that Democrats use every tool at our disposal to stand up to Donald Trump and his spineless allies, especially here in Minnesota, as they try to separate and divide us. While Republicans tank our economy and foment chaos, Democrats are on the side of working families. We will organize, and we will win across Minnesota in 2026 and beyond.” 

Take a look at some of the coverage below: 

Newsweek: Democrat Wins Minnesota Election With 95% of Vote Amid ICE Crackdown

[Kate Plummer, 1/28/25]

“Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement: ‘My community is hurting — but we are also fighting and showing up, for each other and at the ballot box. With Representative-elect Buck and Luger-Nikolai’s victories, Minnesotans now have two more Democratic champions who will fight to lower costs, protect health care, and protect our community from federal overreach and violence.

“‘It’s never been more important that Democrats use every tool at our disposal to stand up to Donald Trump and his spineless allies, especially here in Minnesota, as they try to separate and divide us. While Republicans tank our economy and foment chaos, Democrats are on the side of working families. We will organize and we will win across Minnesota in 2026 and beyond.’”

The Hill: Democrats win two Minnesota special elections, bringing state House back to a tie

[Caroline Vakil, 1/27/26]

“‘With Representative-elect Buck and Luger-Nikolai’s victories, Minnesotans now have two more Democratic champions who will fight to lower costs, protect health care, and protect our community from federal overreach and violence,’ Democratic National Committee (DNC) Ken Martin said in a statement lauding the wins.”

CBS News: Democrats to restore tie in Minnesota House after two special elections

[Aki Nace, Riley Moser, 1/27/26]

“Unofficial results for two special elections held Tuesday show the Minnesota House will remain tied heading into the 2026 legislative session.

“DFL-er and labor lawyer Meg Luger-Nikolai won 95% of the vote over the GOP’s Dan Walsh, a small business owner. …

“The other vacancy is in House District 47A, which covers parts of Woodbury and Maplewood. …

“The DFL’s Shelley Buck, a leader of the Prairie Island Indian Community, is the lone candidate on the ballot. … She received 98% of the vote.”

Pioneer Press: DFL wins in St. Paul, Woodbury special elections return MN House to tie

[Alex Derosier, 1/27/26]

“Minnesota’s House of Representatives will return to a tie after special elections for vacant seats in the east metro Tuesday night delivered two Democratic-Farmer-Labor wins.

“In the special election to fill St. Paul’s House District 64A, DFLer Meg Luger-Nikolai won with more than 95% of the vote, according to unofficial results late Tuesday from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.”

Axios Twin Cities: Special election results: Democrats win, bring House to 67-67 tie

[Torey Van Oot, 1/28/26]

“Democrats Meg Luger-Nikolai and Shelley Buck won yesterday’s special elections for open House seats in St. Paul and Woodbury.

“Why it matters: The wins return the House to a 67-67 tie ahead of the upcoming legislative session.”

Star Tribune: Democrats win two special elections for Minnesota House seats

[Ryan Faircloth, 1/27/26]

“Democrats won a pair of special elections for Minnesota House seats in St. Paul and the east metro on Jan. 27, restoring the chamber to an even partisan split before the Legislature returns for its 2026 session.”

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