Communities

GOP holds MN Senate District 15 and House 15B

Seifert and Theis win elections

Across Minnesota on election night, Democratic candidates claimed victory in several key races, but Republicans were able to hold on to seats in State Senate District 15 and House District 15B with Braxton Seifert of Marshall and Geri Theis of Redwood Falls winning their elections by wide margins. In the senate race, Seifert received 21,260 votes (66.8%) to New Ulm DFL candidate Andrea Boettger's 10,544 votes (33.13%).

In the House race, Theis received 8,812 votes (65.7%) to Morgan DFL candidate Keith Klawitter's 4,593 votes (34.25%).

Both Senate 15 and House 15B were seats long held by Republicans.

Gary Dahms R-Redwood Falls currently represents State Senate 15. He was first elected to the state senate in 2010. In January of this year, Dahms announced he would not run for re-election.

House 15B is currently represented by Paul Torkelson R-Hanska. He was first elected to the house in 2008. Torkelson also announced he would not seek re-election.

Dahms and Torkelson both endorsed their respective Republican successor in the Nov. 3 election.

Theis works as a real estate broker and small business owner. She also served as Treasurer and President of the Minnesota Realtors. Her campaign focuses on cutting taxes and fighting fraud.

"It is thrilling," Theis said on her electoral win. "I am fortunate and humbled to be elected to this position. We have so many great people in the district who need our help to reduce taxes and cost of living."

Theis said as she prepares to enter Minnesota's State House, a lot is going on in the state in terms of fraud and that would be a primary focus of her first term.

"We want to make sure that money going into the state goes where it belongs," she said.

Theis acknowledged that governor-elect Amy Klobuchar was also committed to ending fraud in the state.

"I am willing to work with anyone who wants to stop fraud," she said. "That should help lower costs for Minnesota residents."

Seifert is a loan officer, auctioneer and small business owner. He is active in Holy Redeemer Catholic

Church, the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lyon County Corn & Soybean Growers and serves as a mentor to youth in the CEO program.

Seifert campaigned on retaining job opportunities for young people in the region and lowering costs by reducing state regulations and taxes. Seifert specifically cited a repeal of unfunded mandates forced on school districts, counties and cities. Seifert also called to end the fraud impacting the state.

"I am humbled to receive the support from the voters," Seifert said Wednesday. The road to the election was one that involved visits to dozens of communities, and miles of parade marching.

"It's definitely a marathon running for office, not a sprint," he said. However, Seifert said he had a lot of good conversations along the way, and he looked forward to continuing to hear from constituents.

By and large, the campaign did very well, he said. Seifert compared his performance in this year's election to Sen. Gary Dahms' past vote totals. In 60 precincts in SD 15, Seifert did as well or better than Dahms, he said.

"It shows that the hard work paid off," Seifert said.

He hopes to be able to work across the aisle in the state Legislature. Seifert noted that newly-elected Minnesota Gov. Amy Klobuchar has promised not to raise taxes. He is looking forward to working with Klobuchar and holding her to her promise. Seifert said he has also had a chance to talk with newly-elected Lt. Gov. Ben Schierer, who shares a connection to living in western Minnesota.

Seifert's first big goals as a state senator include supporting infrastructure funding for rural communities and addressing affordability issues in Minnesota.

Both Seifert and Theis pledged to hold town hall meetings in the Districts before and after each legislative session.

Theis said she has already spoken with Seifert about scheduling their first series of town halls ahead of the 2027 legislative session. She said the first town hall could come before Thanksgiving.