Flanagan to be newest member of Minnesota House of Representatives

(UPDATED Nov. 5 to include swearing-in information)

Peggy Flanagan won Tuesday’s District 46A special election, and will be the newest member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Flanagan, a DFLer from St. Louis Park, ran unopposed. She takes the seat previously held by Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley). He resigned July 1 and moved to Belgium for his wife’s new job.

Flanagan is to be sworn in at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Veterans Services Building, 5th Floor Conference Room. She will be assigned Winkler’s old office, 309 State Office Building, and telephone number, 651-296-7026. Her committee assignments are yet to be determined.

The executive director of a nonprofit child-advocacy organization, Flanagan has a degree in child psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is married to Tim Hellendrung. They have one daughter.

Republicans still hold a 72-61 seat advantage in the House. Flanagan’s win increases to 45 the number of women serving in the 134-member House.

A special election is scheduled Dec. 8 to fill the District 3A seat in that became vacant when Rep. David Dill passed away Aug. 8 after a battle with cancer.