Democrat Wins Special Election For MN Senate Vacancy

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic state Rep. Lyle Koenen won a special election in western Minnesota on Tuesday to select a new state senator to replace Democrat Gary Kubly, who died in early March.

With all 195 precincts reporting, Koenen had 54 percent of the vote to 40 percent for Republican Gregg Kulberg and 5 percent for the Independence Party's Leon Greenslit.

Koenen will complete the term of Kubly, who passed away after a long illness. That Senate seat — and all 66 others — will be up for grabs again in November.

The special election involved voters in seven counties, many bordering South Dakota. The sprawling district includes Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Renville, Swift and Yellow Medicine Counties.

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