In one week, voters in suburban Woodbury and rural Wright County will decide a pair of state Senate special elections that will determine which party has a majority heading into 2026.

A lawmaker’s death and another’s burglary conviction over the summer left the seats vacant.

The contests in two distinct districts will restore the Senate to its full complement for the first time in months. And they offer up a preview for high-stakes campaigns in 2026 when all 201 legislative seats are on the ballot.

Voters in both districts have been targeted by mailers, social media ads and visits from candidates and surrogates aimed at influencing their decisions – and getting them to vote at all in what are typically low-turnout elections.

For Democrats, top issues are addressing climate change, fund

See Full Page