Minnesota’s August 11 primary produced several consequential matchups:
- Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston advanced with 48.6% of the vote and will face Council Member Shelle Page, who received 27.3%, in November.
- In Brooklyn Park’s East District, incumbent Christian Eriksen advanced against Allen Miskowiec. Liberian-born candidate Philip Seton Gaye-Bai finished third with 591 votes—just five votes behind Miskowiec.
- Peggy Flanagan won the DFL nomination for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat and will face Republican Michele Tafoya.
- Amy Klobuchar and Republican Lisa Demuth advanced in the open governor’s race.
- Ilhan Omar secured the DFL nomination for reelection in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District.
The results remain unofficial until the applicable canvassing boards certify them. State and federal certification is scheduled for August 18. Minnesota Secretary of State results, Brooklyn Park race breakdown
Why it matters
Brooklyn Park has one of Minnesota’s largest Liberian and African-diaspora communities. The mayoral and council winners will influence public safety, housing, business development, the proposed BioTech Innovation District and the Metro Blue Line extension.
Gaye-Bai’s apparent five-vote defeat is especially newsworthy. Because the result is unofficial and extremely close, canvassing—or a possible recount request—could become significant.
The statewide outcomes also establish the candidates who could lead Minnesota and represent it in the U.S. Senate after November.
