Minnesota Senate Election Results: Tina Smith Projected Winner

MINNESOTA — Sen. Tina Smith is projected to win her race over Republican challenger Karin Housley. Smith is expected to keep her Senate seat and finish out Al Franken's term, which expires in 2021.

With 1987 of 4113 precincts reporting, Smith leads Housley 882,436 voters to 612,215.

There weren’t supposed to be two Senate races in Minnesota this year, but Al Franken’s resignation — brought on by a slew of sexual misconduct allegations — triggered a special election that must be held today, Nov. 6, per state law.

"In the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate," Franken said from the Senate floor in December.

"There is some irony that I am leaving while a man who bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who preyed on young girls runs for Senate with the full support of his party."

Find all of Patch's Minnesota election coverage here.

Franken also said some of the allegations made against him "are simply not true" and that he's proud to have used his power in the Senate "to be a champion of women."

"This decision is not about me. It's about the people of Minnesota."

Allegations against Franken began to come out in November when radio host Leeann Tweeden accused him of groping her during a USO event in 2006. He later apologized for his behavior and said he "let a lot of people down." He had also agreed to participate in a Senate ethics committee investigation into his alleged conduct.

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The two-term incumbent was first elected to the Senate in 2008 when he defeated Republican Sen. Norm Coleman by just 312 votes. He had previously worked as a comic on "Saturday Night Live."

Minnesota's senior Democratic senator, Amy Klobuchar, said Franken made "the right decision" to resign but also praised his time in the Senate.

Franken had been accused of sexual misconduct by at least seven women leading up to his decision to resign. Their claims range from groping to unwanted touching to forcible kissing.

Democrats were fortunate that a member of their party got to chose Franken’s replacement. After Franken resigned, Gov. Mark Dayton was tasked appointing someone to fill his vacancy.

In the end, Dayton chose his lieutenant governor, Tina Smith.

"Tina Smith is a person of the highest integrity and ability," Dayton told the media when he announced his decision.

"There is no one I trust more to assume the responsibilities of this important office. I know that she will be a superb Senator, representing the best interests of our state and our citizens."

After serving 10 months in the Senate, Smith must be elected if she wants to finish Franken’s term in the Senate, which expires on Jan. 3, 2021. The special election was added to an already jam-packed ballot, making for a busy campaign season in Minnesota.

Kathy Britton Moen told Patch she’s excited for midterm elections to come so the state can be “rid of all the commercials.”

Patch reader Ann Harris agreed, saying “I will be happy when the nasty ads are done.”

Progressive vs. Trump supporter

Smith, a former executive of Planned Parenthood, is running as a progressive who supports gun control, MinnesotaCare, and abortion rights.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) gave Smith an “F” on their gun rights report card.

When asked how she will differ from Franken in the Senate late last year, Smith told the press, "I respect his work, but I will take on this role in my own way."

"If I wasn't confident, I wouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be underestimated,” she added.

Smith is facing Republican challenger Karin Housley, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and his administration. Housley spoke at both Trump rallies held in Minnesota this year.

She’s also positioned herself as a strong advocate of gun owner rights and lower taxes. The NRA gives Hously an “A” on gun rights.

There are signs that Smith could ride a wave to anti-Trump sentiment to the governor's house.

Jenifer Prince, of Eden Prarie, has been a Republican most of her life. To prove it, she tells Patch that when President Richard Nixon visited Rochester, "there was a group of high school girls that, they got together to wear white go-go boots and shorts and welcome Nixon."

"I was one of them," she recalls.

"But I went from being a Republican to being an independent."

Now, because of the direction she believes the Republicans have taken under Trump, she considers herself a Democrat.

"The Republican Party that I knew, and my father supported" has changed, says Prince.

Housley given an outside shot

Though recent polls showed Housley trailing Smith, she is optimistic about the race.

“We’ve got the momentum in this race and it’s showing no signs of slowing down,” Housley told Patch Friday.

“Since January, we’ve traveled all across Minnesota, listening to the challenges the people in our communities are facing—and they’re fed up with the partisan obstruction and extremism in Washington. There’s excitement on the ground like I’ve never seen and it’s clear Minnesotans are ready for a new voice in the United States Senate.”

Sen. Tina Smith’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Housley currently represents Washington County in the Minnesota Legislature. She also runs a real estate business in Stillwater.

"Since we began this journey in December, our campaign's message has struck a chord with Minnesotans across the state," Housley said after she received the Republican Party endorsement this summer.

"People are tired of the partisan logjam and obstruction that has prevented anything from getting done – and this campaign aims to change that. I'm thrilled to make it official."

More than 535,000 Minnesotans voted before Tuesday

Early voting in Minnesota this year began Sept. 21. As of Monday morning, at least 539,806 absentee ballots had been accepted, almost keeping pace with the 2016 presidential election.

The rate of absentee ballot requests this year increased 129 percent over 2014, which was the last statewide non-presidential election.

“Early voter participation in Minnesota is at record levels,’” Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a statement Monday.

“With less than 36 hours remaining in the 2018 election, Minnesotans are on-pace to hold our #1 title for voting participation.”

Crucial votes in the suburbs

Several races for U.S. House in the Twin Cities metro area could come down to a tiny margin of voters in the suburbs. With the midterms today, it's worth taking a look at the political landscape of the metro.

Read on: Most Liberal, And Most Conservative Twin Cities Suburbs: List

Minnesota Election Day Weather

You may have to get through rain and snow showers on your way to the polls Tuesday. Election Day will feature plenty of precipitation in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Weather: Election Day 2018 Forecast

Haven't registered to vote yet? Don't worry. Minnesota residents eligible to vote can register on Election Day at their polling location. You will need to show proof of residence before you vote.

If your voter registration is current and active, you do not need to bring an I.D. to the polls.

Where do I vote? You can enter your address into Minnesota's Polling Place Finder to find out where you vote

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Photo: Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) walks to a Democratic Caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol January 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. A continuing resolution to fund the government has passed the House of Representatives but faces a stiff challenge in the Senate. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images