Democratic Farm Labor Candidate Xp Lee has won in a Minnesota State House special election to fill the seat of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who was killed in her home in June along with her husband by a right-wing gunman. The victory restores a 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House chamber.

Lee defeated Republican Ruth Bittner by 21 percentage points; another massive showing in a down ballot race for Democrats in 2025.

Lee is an immigrant from Thailand where he was born in a refugee camp. He is a health equity analyst with the Minnesota Department of Health, and was a member of the Brooklyn Park City Council to the northwest of Minneapolis.

"Xp's commitment to expanding access to education, affordable health care, and good-paying jobs honors the legacy of our dear friend, Speaker Emeri

See Full Page