ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Two Minnesota House district seats stayed in the same partisan column after special elections to replace lawmakers who resigned after the last election.

The St. Cloud seat vacated by Republican Steve Gottwalt, who resigned to take a job as a lobbyist for a health care provider, was won by Republican Tama Theis. Theis beat Democrat Joanne Dorsher and Todd McKee of the Independence Party.

The other special election was in a district that includes St. Peter, North Mankato and surrounding communities.

The St. Peter-area seat open after Democrat Terry Morrow left for a job in Chicago was won by Democrat Clark Johnson.

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