Special election results: Democrats win, bring House to 67-67 tie

Democrats Meg Luger-Nikolai and Shelley Buck won yesterday's special elections for open House seats in St. Paul and Woodbury.

Why it matters: The wins return the House to a 67-67 tie ahead of the upcoming legislative session.

• Plus: Once they're sworn in, the 201-member Legislature will be fully seated for the first time since last June.

How we got here: November election victories triggered vacancies in both safe DFL seats.

• House District 47A, which Buck will now represent, opened up when Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger (DFL-Woodbury) won an open Senate seat.
• Luger-Nikolai became the DFL nominee for 64A following DFL Rep. Kaohly Her's election as St. Paul mayor.

What's next: Session starts Feb. 17.