Republican Incumbents Stay Strong on the Iron Range
Election night 2026 altered the political landscape in ways that even optimistic polls predicting democratic wins were not able to predict. The Blue Wave that rushed through the country gave control of Congress to the Democrats, awarding at least 250 seats in the House, where 218 are needed for a majority, and at least seven new Senate seats, with the possibility of others switching blue as races are still too close to call.
Minnesota saw several firsts as well: Senator Amy Klobuchar was elected to serve as the state’s first female governor, and current Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan will serve as the nation’s first female Native American Senator.
In other statewide races, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon sailed to reelection, and newcomer Zack Filipovich kept the State Auditor’s position in DFL hands.
In down-ballot state races, the DFL in Minnesota also made gains, winning full control of both the state house and the senate, giving Klobuchar a unified legislature to begin her term with.
Closer to home on the Range, Republicans did better than the national trend, with Congressman Peter Stauber winning reelection along with State Representatives Cal Warwas, Roger Skraba, and Spencer Igo. State Senator Rob Farnsworth retained his seat. Grant Hauschild, the Range’s lone DFL representative, defeated Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich by a 54- 46 margin.
In local races, Eveleth Mayor Adam Roen won reelection in a landslide, while in Virginia, council member Annie Bachschneider won over fellow counciler Steve Johnson. Mayor Pete Hyduke of Hibbing won reelection, and in Chisholm, Joy Frazier narrowly took the top spot.
Father out on the Range, Heidi Omerza won mayor in Ely, while Duane Lossing took the top spot in Babbitt. In Keewatin, the top vote-getter in the mayor’s race was Michael LaBine.
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