Anderson wins reelection to District 12A Minnesota House seat

By Reed Anfinson
When Republican District 12A state Rep. Paul Anderson heads back to St. Paul in January, it is likely to be to a House of Representatives that is evenly split.
While the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party retained control of the state Senate and has the governorship, the House could be deadlocked with a 67-67 split.
How the two sides will work out leadership and chair positions will be a challenge that could set the tone for a very contentious session gridlocked by the inability to pass legislation without at least one vote from the other side.
Anderson will be in the middle of the fray after easily winning reelection last Tuesday. He received a dominant 73.8% of the vote against a DFL candidate who did not campaign nor put forward any policy position.
In the last legislative session, Anderson served as the Republican lead on the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. He also serves on the Sustainable Infrastructure Committee and the Property Tax Division of the House Tax Committee.
He is likely to have increased influence in the House due to his seniority as the 2025 session starts. He was just elected to his 10th two-year term.
As of last week, the Secretary of State’s office said that the two races that will decide control of the state House were too close to call. Both were so close they qualified for an automatic recount.
In District 54A, the candidates are separated by just 13 votes with the DFL candidate leading. In District 14B, the DFL candidate leads by 28 votes. Both races are headed to a recount.

Two recounts will decide control of House

District 14B    Votes
DFL Don Wolgamott     9,757
Republican Sue Ek     9,729
DFL up    28 votes

District 54A    Votes
DFL Brad Tabke    10,954
Republican Aaron Paul    10,941
DFL up     13 votes

It is extremely rare that even such close contests are changed through a recount. Based on past recounts, a few votes may shift, but that happens on both sides and the candidate leading prevails.

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