ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Voters in St. Paul and Falcon Heights are filling an open seat in the state Senate in a special election on Tuesday.

The race pits Republican Greg Copeland, a former Maplewood city manager, against Democrat Mary Jo McGuire, a former state representative.

The district has been represented by a Democrat since the Legislature adopted party designations in the 1970s.

The seat was vacated by former Sen. Ellen Anderson, who resigned when Gov. Mark Dayton named her to head the Public Utilities Commission. Anderson served almost two decades in the Senate.

The special election won’t change control of the Senate, where Republicans hold the majority with 37 of 67 seats.

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