Franson confirmed as District 8B winner

Rep. Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) will serve a second term in the Minnesota House.

Following a recount in her District 8B race, the State Canvassing Board certified that Franson defeated DFL candidate Bob Cunniff by 12 votes. More than 21,200 votes were cast in the race, including 19 write-in votes. Prior to last week’s recount, Franson had an 11-vote lead.

The board also certified the District 20 Senate race, where former Sen. Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield) defeated Republican Mike Dudley by 71 votes. There were 53 write-in votes. Dahle, who previously served from 2008-2010, had a 78-vote lead out of almost 41,200 votes cast prior to last week’s recount.

State law requires an automatic recount in each race because the margin between candidates was less than 0.5 percent.

With all legislative races now official, the DFL will hold a 73-61 majority in the House and a 39-28 advantage in the Senate when the Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 8.