WASHINGTON – The DLCC’s Spotlight Candidate Bianca Virnig won a crucial special election in Minnesota tonight, maintaining Democrats’ majority in the Minnesota House. Victories in battleground states like Minnesota, where House Democrats are up by only 5 seats, are crucial to preserving the gains made in state legislatures and fending off GOP extremism.
Bianca will join DFLers who have made historic progress this year thanks to the new Democratic trifecta elected in 2022. From funding free meals for K-12 students and expanding access to mental health services to protecting access to abortion, state Democrats have been hard at work fighting for Minnesota families. Tonight’s victory helps reinforce Minnesota Democrats’ majority and will allow the legislature to continue delivering for families in the 2024 legislative session.
DLCC interim President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“It’s only fitting we close the year with Bianca’s important victory, on the heels of sweeping the most important state races in 2023 and overperforming special elections in 2023 by an average of 6 points. The Minnesota Democratic trifecta has been a shining example of the difference Democrats make when in leadership– they protect fundamental freedoms, increase access to health care, and deliver for families. This victory marks a capstone as we head into 2024 – the DLCC is poised to protect Democrats’ progress, defeat GOP extremism, and fight for new majorities in the states. Bianca’s victory brings us one step closer to protecting our Democratic majority in the Minnesota House next November.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities, and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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