Voters turn out in St. Cloud amid tight state legislative races
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At the Southside Boys and Girls Club in a busy and diverse neighborhood in St. Cloud, voters were trickling in as polls opened.
“The election judges here say they're not sure what to expect for turnout because it was really busy for the primary election,” MPR News correspondent Kirsti Marohn said on Morning Edition. “But they say a lot of voters in this precinct vote early, like a lot of Minnesotans did this year.”
In Senate District 14, state Sen. Aric Putnam is a Democrat who's trying to hold on to his seat for a third term. State Rep. Bernie Perryman, who's a Republican, is challenging Putnam for the Senate seat instead of seeking another term in the House. The race is considered one of a handful that will help decide who controls the Minnesota Legislature.
The mixed politics of St. Cloud-area voters have led to some razor-thin outcomes in past elections, and make the area a target for campaign spending. This year, the area’s state Senate race has attracted more than $1 million from outside groups, even before the political parties and candidates report their spending.
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Along with the Senate race, St. Cloud-area voters also will be choosing two new state representatives.
Abdi Daisane, a Somali American business owner, is running as a Democrat for Perryman's District 14A seat. He's facing off against Republican Mike Conway, a St. Cloud City Council member.
In District 14B, Republican Sue Ek is challenging former legislator Zach Dorholt, a Democrat. That seat was left vacant by Rep. Dan Wolgamott, who made an unsuccessful bid for state auditor.
Dorholt is a St. Cloud school board member who served one term in the Minnesota House. Ek is a communications professional who ran unsuccessfully for the House twice, losing to Wolgamott by just 191 votes two years ago.
“It's really hard to predict… this is a really politically divided area. President Trump won this district two years ago, but Democrats think voters are unhappy with Trump over inflation, gas prices, and the war in Iran,” Marohn said. “Republican candidates have been trying to keep their message focused on fraud in state government programs. They think that's what voters are angry about.”
