NISSWA, Minn. -The former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Minnesota is running for former Republican State Senator Justin Eichorn’s seat.
Eichorn recently resigned after the 40-year old was federally charged for allegedly soliciting sex from a minor.
Mayor of Nisswa Jennifer Carnahan announces she’s filed for candidacy in Senate District 6 which stretches from Brainerd to Grand Rapids.
She resigned as MNGOP Chair in 2021 because of her relationship with fundraiser Anton Lazarro after he was indicted on child sex trafficking charges. Lazarro was found guilty and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Carnahan is also the widow of Minnesota Congressman Jim Hagedorn who died at age 59 in 2022 after a battle with kidney cancer. Carnahan ran for the Republican primary in a special election for her late husband’s seat, but came in third.
Others running for the Republican nomination for Senate District 6 seat include Director for the Trump 2024 campaign Kari Heintzeman and Josh Gazelka, the son of former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka. Also running is DFLer Emily LeClaire who ran for the House District 6B seat last year.
Governor Tim Walz is expected to call for a special election to fill the District 6 Senate seat this week.
