The six candidates who have filed to run in the special election for the District 6 seat. (Top row, from left) Heather Edelson, Patrick Gage, and Janet Kitui. (Bottom row, from left) Daniel Moret, Marisa Simonetti, and Jen Westmoreland.
Six people –all from Edina – have filed to run in the special election for the District 6 seat on the Hennepin County Board.
The candidates are state Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-50A, Edina), political consultant Patrick Gage, Normandale Community College director of procurement Janet Kitui, nonprofit leader Daniel Moret, businesswoman Marisa Simonetti, and Hopkins School Board member Jen Westmoreland.
Candidates had until March 12 to submit their paperwork to the county auditor and have until 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, to withdraw their candidacy.
Since more than two candidates are running, a primary will be held on April 30, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the special election on May 14.
District 6, encompassing 66 precincts, includes parts of northern Eden Prairie, Deephaven, Edina, Excelsior, Hopkins, Mound, Minnetonka, Orono, and Wayzata.
The special election follows the resignation of Chris LaTondresse last September, who left to become CEO of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative in St. Paul. The winner will complete LaTondresse’s term through 2024.
The District 6 seat will be up for election in November for a full four-year term. Prospective candidates for the term beginning January 2025 must file between May 21 and June 4, a period also applicable to candidates for other offices that may require a primary election.