Apple Valley-Rosemount Elects DFL State Senator, Pair of GOP Representatives

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A DFLer and two Republicans will represent Apple Valley-Rosemount in the upcoming session of the Minnesota Legislature.

Republicans Tara Mack and Anna Wills were elected to the House of Representatives, while the DFL’s Greg Clausen took the Senate seat.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mack, the two-term incumbent in the old House District 37A, retains her spot in the redistricted House District 57A. She will represent 11 of Apple Valley’s 16 precincts and two precincts in Lakeville.

According to unofficial vote totals from the Minnesota Secretary of State website, the Apple Valley resident defeated DFLer Roberta Gibbons, an Apple Valley insurance agent, by a vote of 11,420-9941. Mack’s support was widespread, as she captured all but four precincts.

Joining Mack in the House will be first-time legislator Willis, who defeated the DFL’s Jeff Wilfahrt, 11,906-10,452, in District 57B. Willis will represent all of Rosemount, Coates and five Apple Valley precincts.

Before redistricting, much of District 57B was represented by Republican Kurt Bills, who was defeated by incumbent Amy Klobuchar in the U.S. Senate race.

Wills, a legislative aide for Sen. Michelle Benson of Anoka County, carried 11 of 13 precincts Tuesday.

The GOP’s showing in Apple Valley-Rosemount’s House districts was one of few bright spots for Minnesota Republicans, as the DFL captured control of both houses of the Legislature.

According to statistics in the Star Tribune, the DFL now holds a 39-28 advantage in the Senate and a 73-61 edge in the House.

STATE SENATE

In a race many viewed as crucial to the DFL’s success on Election Day, Clausen, the recently retired principal of Rosemount High School, scored a victory over Republican Pat Hall, a pastor and former business owner.

Clausen won 21 of 26 precincts. One precinct in Lakeville ended in a 1,038-1,038 tie, according to unofficial vote totals.

"I didn't know what to expect," Clausen said Tuesday evening at a DFL gathering in Rosemount. "I've always viewed my role as an educator as serving others, trying to educate the next generation of Minnesotans.

"This seemed to be a natural continuation of that.”

Clausen now will represent a district that was served by retiring District 37 Sen. Chris Gerlach, who won election as a Dakota County Commissioner on Tuesday.

With Gerlach’s retirement, Mack becomes Apple Valley-Rosemount senior state legislator.

The Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 8, according to the state’s legislative calendar.

STATE HOUSE

House District 57A (Apple Valley)

Roberta Gibbons

Tara Mack

53.46

House District 57B (Apple Valley and Rosemount)

Jeff Wilfahrt

Anna Wills 

STATE SENATE

Senate District 57 (Apple Valley and Rosemount)

Greg Clausen

DFL

Pat Hall