MARSHALL — The results were still coming in across Minnesota Senate District 16 on Tuesday night, but unofficial vote totals showed Sen. Gary Dahms was leading in Lyon County at least.

With all precincts reporting in from Lyon County, Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, had 70% of the vote for the state Senate race. In Lyon County, Dahms received 6,840 votes, while Independence-Alliance party challenger Joshua Prine had 1,563 votes and Steve Preslicka of the Legal Marijuana Now party had 1,288 votes.

By 11 p.m. Tuesday, the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office was reporting 52.6% of precincts reporting across Senate District 16. Dahms was in the lead among those precincts, with a total of 20,311 votes.

“We’re looking good,” Dahms said. In addition to having a lead in Lyon and Brown counties, he said, “We’ve got some strong counties left to come in.”

As he waited for full results to come in Tuesday night, Dahms said he appreciated the continued support of area voters.

“I always appreciate the opportunity to represent the people of Senate District 16,” he said.

Dahms said the Minnesota Legislature will be facing some tough challenges ahead, both in responding to COVID-19 and dealing with what Dahms said will likely be a “major” deficit. However, if re-elected he said he would continue to work for constituents. “It’s part of the process. You have to be there for the good times and the bad.”

Weber leads in

Senate District 22

In Minnesota Senate District 22, which includes part of the southern edge of Lyon County, Republican Sen. Bill Weber was running for re-election, against DFL challenger Shawna Marshall and Brian Abrahamson of the Grassroots – Legalize Cannabis party.

With 60.1% of precincts in Senate District 22 reporting as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Weber was leading with a total 15,649 votes. Weber was solidly in the lead in Lyon County, with 1,749 votes compared to DFL challenger Shawna Marshall, who had 685 votes, and Brian Abrahamson of the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis party, who had 145 votes.