District 27B is located north of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area and covers parts of the Anoka, Isanti, Mille Lacs, and Sherburne counties.[1] On January 10, 2024, Kurt Daudt—the Republican representative for District 27B—announced his resignation from the Minnesota House of Representatives, effective February 11.[2] Two days after his resignation became effective, governor Tim Walz selected March 19 as the date of the special election to replace Daudt and February 29 as the date of the special primaries, if one is held.[1]
On February 8, 2024, farmer Bryan Lawrence announed his campaign for the District 27B seat, stating that the "trifecta" of Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party control "has led to a trifecta of assaults on our central Minnesota way of life".[3] Mechanical adjuster Rachel Davis was also a candidate for the Republican primary.[4] On February 10, Lawrence received the endorsement of the Minnesota Republican Party.[5] After Lawrence's endorsement, Davis continued her campaign for the primary election.[4] On February 29, Lawrence defeated Davis in a landslide, receiving nearly 91% of the vote.[6]
2024 Minnesota House of Representatives District 27B special Republican primary[6]
Brad Brown—a small business owner, retired diesel mechanic, and the DFL candidate for District 27B in 2022[7][8]—was the only candidate in the Democratic primary and won unopposed.[9]
2024 Minnesota House of Representatives District 27B special DFL primary[10]
In a landslide victory, Lawrence won with over 84% of the total vote.[11] Brown congratulated Lawrence, stating that he hoped Lawrence "has continuity and does a good job in the House".[8]
2024 Minnesota House of Representatives District 27B special election[12]
