Nelson wins District 11B special election to replace Rarick

Republican Nathan Nelson won the special election in District 11B Tuesday, defeating DFL challenger Tim Burkhardt with 68 percent of the more than 5,200 votes cast.

Rep.-elect Nathan Nelson

Nelson, a 40-year-old father of five who farms near Hinckley, will succeed Jason Rarick who resigned in February after winning his own special election to fill the District 11 Senate seat left vacant when Gov. Tim Walz selected Tony Lourey to become commissioner of the Department of Human Services.

The State Canvassing Board is scheduled to meet Friday morning and will likely certify the election results then.

With the victory, the DFL will hold a 75-59 majority in the House.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) welcomed Nelson in a statement released Tuesday evening.

"Congratulations to Nathan Nelson on a decisive victory, bringing the House Republican caucus back to full strength," Daudt said. "Nathan will be a welcomed new voice for lower taxes and strong rural economies.”

There is no word yet on when Nelson will be sworn into office.