Challenger edges longest-serving woman in Minnesota Legislature by 35 votes, triggers automatic recount

people talking with candiadates — Natalie Zeleznikar, center, Minnesota House District 3B candidate, looks at results with Karen Bonniwell, left, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and Nancy Loudon of Maple Plain, Minnesota, at Black Woods Event Center on Tuesday in Proctor.

By Brielle Bredsten

November 09, 2022 at 5:46 PM

DULUTH 鈥� Just 35 votes edged Natalie Zeleznikar, a Republican from Duluth, over Rep. Mary Murphy, the longest-serving female legislator in Minnesota, in the House District 3B race, according to unofficial results Wednesday morning, Nov. 9.

Murphy, DFL-Hermantown, also the second-longest-serving legislator in the state, has held the seat since 1976.

Zeleznikar received 10,812 votes (50.01%), while Murphy had 10,777 (49.85%), according to the Minnesota Secretary of State鈥檚 Office.

According to the , the race falls within the parameters of a publicly funded recount.

"I'm just committed to the process that every legal vote counts and I'm confident in the strength of our campaign. It's a testament to how hard we worked the last eight months," Zeleznikar said.

District 3B includes Two Harbors and other unorganized territories in Lake County; Proctor; Rice Lake; Hermantown; and the following St. Louis County townships: Alden, Ault, Canosia, Duluth, Fairbanks, Fredenberg, Gnesen, Grand Lake, Lakewood, Midway, Normanna, North Star, Pequaywan and Solway.

By Brielle Bredsten

Brielle Bredsten is a business and health care industry reporter for the Duluth News Tribune.

Send her story tips, feedback or just say hi at bbredsten@duluthnews.com.