Xp Lee has won a special election in Minnesota to replace slain Democrat Melissa Hortman.
Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House, was assassinated in June.
Election Results
Lee, a former Brooklyn Park city councilman, was the Democratic nominee.
Xp Lee
He defeated Republican candidate Ruth Bittner, a local real estate agent.
Lee secured 60.9% of the vote compared to Bittner’s 39.1%.
Ruth Bittner
The race was held in the heavily Democratic 34B district.
Lee’s victory restores Democratic representation in the chamber.
Honoring Hortman
In his victory speech, Lee paid tribute to Hortman.
“I have never lost sight of the situation that brought us to this moment,” he said.
Melissa Hortman
Lee promised to carry forward Hortman’s legacy as speaker.
He praised volunteers for knocking on doors and making calls.
“We did our best to make her proud,” he added.
Democratic Response
Rep. Zack Stephenson, Hortman’s successor as caucus leader, praised Lee.
He said Democrats now have full representation in the statehouse.
Stephenson stressed this was vital ahead of a possible special session.
Gov. Tim Walz may call lawmakers back to address school safety.
The session follows the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.
Shooting Context
That attack left two students dead and 21 others injured.
Stephenson vowed Democrats would “prioritize the safety of our kids.”
He criticized Republicans for defending “weapons of war.”
He also promised to fight for an economy that works for everyone.
Stephenson said Lee’s win strengthens his caucus’s position.
Power Sharing
Once sworn in, Lee will join a chamber split evenly 67–67.
Minnesota’s House has been evenly divided since the 2024 election.
The balance of power forces both parties to share control.
Hortman had brokered the current power-sharing deal before her death.
Lee’s win ensures Democrats maintain equal footing with Republicans.
