DFL candidate wins special election in House District 52B

Voters in House District 52B chose a new representative in a special election Tuesday, electing Bianca Virnig to fill the seat that opened when former Rep. Ruth Richardson resigned Sept. 1.

Virnig, the DFL nominee, is a member of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school board and works as the director of health and safety at Brightworks, an education services cooperative.

Rep.-elect Bianca Virnig (Image courtesy of the candidate)

She received 58.2% of the 6,618 votes cast to defeat Republican candidate Cynthia Lonnquist (40.9%), and Charles Kuchlenz, the Libertarian candidate (0.9%).

Virnig thanked friends, family, volunteers, and the voters in a Facebook post Tuesday

“This is a win for all of us,” she wrote. “This is a win for families, for children and for our seniors. This is a win for our education and healthcare systems. It’s a win for reproductive freedom. It’s a win for our environment. Our work is just beginning.”

The date when Virnig will be sworn in has not yet been announced, along with any potential committee assignments.

With Tuesday’s result, the DFL will maintain its 70-64 seat majority in the House.

District 52B covers a southeastern portion of the Twin Cities that includes Mendota Heights and parts of Eagan.

The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to begin at noon, Feb. 12.