Democrat Xp Lee has won the special election for House District 34, formerly held by Melissa Hortman, and in doing so has restored the tie with Republicans in the Minnesota House.

Lee won 60.1% of the vote, racking up 4,331 votes compared to the 2,785 gained by Republican Ruth Bittner. The margin of 21.8% is smaller than Hortman's last win, which was by 27.4% in last year's elections, albeit on much larger turnout.

The special election was called after Hortman was assassinated along with her husband Mark by alleged gunman Vance Boelter, who is also accused of shooting DFL Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette multiple times the same day.

Lee will now take over as the representative for District 34B, which covers areas of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids in the north Twin Cities m

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