Democrat wins Minnesota special election to replace killed legislator

Democratic candidate Xp Lee is projected to win the Minnesota special election to replace former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated in a shooting in June, along with her husband.

Lee, a health equity analyst, defeated Republican candidate and real estate agent Ruth Bittner in the race for House District 34B, which is Democratic-leaning, The Hill news outlet reported. In Minnesota, the Democratic Party is called the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said following Tuesday's election victory, “I’ve seen Rep-elect Lee’s leadership up close while he was a Brooklyn Park City Councilmember and I have no doubt he’ll continue that leadership as a statehouse member.”

The state House will be tied again with the number of Republicans and Democrats, 67-67.

“Rep.-elect Xp Lee’s win restores a tie in the Minnesota House and honors the legacy of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who is deeply missed by DFLers across Minnesota and by the DLCC,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams said in a statement.

“Expanding opportunities for working families to thrive is the best way to honor her legacy, and that’s exactly what DFLers will be able to do with Rep.-elect Lee’s leadership. The DLCC is committed to supporting Minnesota DFLers every step of the way, now and into 2026 when all 134 House District seats will be up for election.”

Hortman and her husband were killed in their home in June, after another lawmaker and his wife were shot earlier that same morning.

A 58-year-old Minnesota man has been charged on state and federal levels for the shootings of the lawmakers and their spouses.