Special election for State Representative District 64A
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
The DFL candidate running for State Representative District 64A is Meg Luger-Nikolai. The Republican candidate is Dan Walsh.
Beth Fraser, Matt Hill, Dan McGrath, Lois Quam and John Zwier lost the primary in December.
The special election will be on Jan. 27.
District 64A is entirely within the city of St. Paul. The seat became vacant after Kaohly Her, who represented the district since 2018, submitted her letter of resignation from the House as part of her transition to St. Paul mayor.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Hear from the candidates below.
DFL candidate
Meg Luger-Nikolai
Why are you running?
I am running to ensure that workers have a strong voice at the Capitol. My entire professional career has been devoted to lifting up worker needs. I am also a strong supporter of public education, and I am would like to see more equitable education funding so that districts like the St. Paul Public Schools are less dependent on levies.
Finally, I am deeply troubled by our spiraling health care costs, and believe that we need better options for consumers of health care and health insurance.
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
I have been a labor lawyer for my entire career, and politics have never not mattered in my work. From who the president is (because that person appoints NLRB members) to who is on the city council (because they have the ability to adopt living wage ordinances, among other things), the contours of my work have always been shaped by who is in charge.
It is critical to me to contribute to that work in a positive way, and use my power as a public servant to make the lives of Minnesotans better.
What are the top issues you’re discussing with voters and why?
My top issues are about protecting workers and ensuring that St. Paul receives equitable funding in terms of the education formula and local government aid.
The voters that I am talking to are also focused on protecting our environment, closing housing gaps, and ensuring that we have multi-modal transit that meets a variety of needs.
Republican candidate
Dan Walsh
Why are you running?
Because the Democrats have been running us into the ground.
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
I was raised in a time where civics was taught so it is every ones obligation to participate in the process.
What are the top issues you're discussing with voters and why?
There is only one issue on the ballot .... fraud. Why? Because if we don't have integrity and trust in the system we have nothing.
