Democrat leading in vote to fill Minn. House seat

Democrat Carly Melin is leading in a special election to represent a Minnesota House district on the Iron Range.

According to the Minnesota secretary of state's website, Melin had 66 percent of the vote with nearly 30 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday. Republican Paul Jacobson had 30 percent and Independence Party candidate Cynthia Kafut-Hagen had 4 percent.

They are vying for a seat vacated by former House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, who resigned to take a position in Gov. Mark Dayton's cabinet. The Chisholm Democrat now heads the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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