BRAINERD, Minn. — A Brainerd Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House in 2024 has declared her candidacy for the Senate seat vacated by Justin Eichorn. Emily LeClaire lost the 2024 House race 63% to 33% to Republican Josh Heintzeman. LeClaire, age 35, works with vulnerable adults and children with mental health issues. She was the first to announce for the Senate after Eichorn was pressured out in a sex scandal. Almost simultaneously the spouse of Josh Heintzeman, who defeated LeClaire in 2024, also announced for the vacant Senate seat. Kari Heintzeman, age 47, a Republican from Nisswa, was the district organizer for the 2024 Trump presidential campaign. She and her husband operate a vacation rental business. If elected, the pair would be an unusual if not unprecedented husband and wife simultaneously in the Legislature.
Electoral record
Eichorn, a Republican, was elected to the state Senate three times:
2022: Won with 63%.
2020: Won with 55%.
2016: Won with 51%.
Earlier House bid:
2014: Lost with 43%.