Koenen wins Senate District 20 DFL primary

DFL Rep. Lyle Koenen has won a special primary election for  Senate District 20, a seat that covers much of west central Minnesota.

Koenen, who is serving his fifth term representing House District 20B, defeated longtime DFL activist and campaigner John Schultz on Tuesday evening with more than 66 percent of the vote. A special election was called in the district following the death of Granite Falls DFL Sen. Gary Kubly, who held the seat for more than 10 years.

Koenen will now head to an April 10 special election, where he will face off against  Independence Party candidate Leon Greenslit, and Gregg Kulberg, a Republican from Hector.

In the fall the district will become Senate District 17 following the once-in-a-decade redistricting process. Koenen and fellow DFLer Larry Rice of Willmar have already said they intend to run for the seat. GOP Sen. Joe Gimse of Willmar was also redistricted into Senate District 17 and will be running for the seat in the fall.