Special primary election today for two state senate seats

Voters in parts of Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park head to the polls today for a special primary election.

The primaries will set the field in special elections for two Minnesota Senate seats. Democrats will head to the polls in Minneapolis to determine who they want to replace long-time senator Linda Berglin, who announced her retirement from the Senate in August to take a job with Hennepin County. Six Democrats, including Representative Jeff Hayden are running in that primary. The candidates in the Republican, Independence and Green Parties are running unopposed.

There is also a competitive DFL Primary in Senate District 46 which includes all of Brooklyn Center and part of Brooklyn Park. The seat was left vacant when DFL Senator Linda Scheid died in June. Two Democrats are vying for that seat as are two Republicans. The Independence Party candidate is running unopposed.

The general election for both seats will be held on Oct. 18.