ST. PAUL 鈥� Two Brooklyn Park city council members have launched campaigns to fill former Rep. Melissa Hortman鈥檚 House seat 34B in a special election set for Sept. 16.
Former Brooklyn Park City Council member Xp Lee announced his candidacy for former Rep. Melissa Hortman鈥檚 House seat on Monday, July 14, following current Brooklyn Park City Council member . Neither candidate has officially filed for the race, according to the Secretary of State records.
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The House currently stands at 66 Democrats and 67 Republicans with Hortman鈥檚 seat empty following her assassination on June 14.
Walz on July 11 called a special election for Hortman鈥檚 seat Sept. 16, setting a primary if necessary for Aug. 12. District 34B is in the northern metro and includes parts of Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids and Champlin. Hortman represented Brooklyn Park in the House from 2004 to 2025, and won her last election in November 2024 with 63% of the vote.
Lee is a 20-year resident of Brooklyn Park, served on the Brooklyn Park City Council from 2022 to 2024 and currently works as a health equity staff member at the Minnesota Department of Health,
鈥淏rooklyn Park is our home, our heart and our future,鈥� Lee said in the press release. 鈥淚鈥檓 running to continue building a community where everyone feels safe, supported and seen. From my service on the City Council to my work in health equity, I鈥檝e seen the power of listening, leading and bringing people together. I want to take that same energy to the State Capitol.鈥�
He has endorsements from Brooklyn Park City Council Member Amanda Xiong, Rep. Samantha Vang, Rep. Fue Lee and former State Representative Hodan Hassan, his campaign said. He paid tribute to Hortman in his campaign launch Monday.
鈥淢elissa Hortman wasn鈥檛 just a powerful voice at the Capitol 鈥� she was our neighbor,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淗er legacy of principled, visionary leadership continues to inspire me. I鈥檓 committed to honoring her work and carrying forward the progress she helped build.鈥�
Eriksen has served on the Brooklyn Park City Council since 2022 and has endorsements from council member Shelle Page and former member Terry Parks,
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鈥淲ith many emotions, I am announcing my candidacy for MN House District 34B. I know in our communities, this seat will endure as 鈥楳elissa's Seat,鈥� 鈥� Eriksen said in a Facebook post on July 7. 鈥淚t is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office.鈥�
Candidates interested in the seat must file by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
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