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Brad Hennen won Tuesday's election for Minnesota House of Representatives in District 15A.
According to unofficial vote totals, Hennen, R-Ghent, received about 66% of the vote in the district, with a total of 12,374 votes. DFL candidate Nathan Schmig, of Minneota, received a total of 6,350 votes district-wide.
"I certainly appreciate the confidence that people across District 15A have shown in electing me," Hennen said Wednesday.
Hennen said he has enjoyed getting to meet constituents, and hear their personal stories and concerns.
"I look forward to serving them at the state capitol, and I expect to hear more of those personal stories and concerns. I welcome the challenge."
House District 15A includes Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine and Lyon County.
Hennen said some of the issues that he hopes to help address in the state Legislature include lowering the cost of living for Minnesotans, and addressing the cost and availability of health care.
"I'm hopeful that I can make the case that shifting the cost (of health care) is not the answer," he said.
Hennen said he hoped to be able to put party aside and connect with fellow lawmakers over shared values and needs. He said he also hoped that Minnesota will avoid "a top-down approach," and allow citizens and communities to innovate and develop solutions that work for them.
Republican candidates were also victorious in races in Minnesota House District 15B, and 21A. In District 15B, Geri Theis of Redwood Falls received over 65% of the vote, with a total of 12,301 votes district-wide. DFL candidate Keith Klawitter received 6,420 votes, the Secretary of State's Office reported.
"It is thrilling," Theis said on her electoral win. "I am fortunate and humbled to be elected to this position. We have so many great people in the district who need our help to reduce taxes and cost of living."
Theis said as she prepares to enter Minnesota's State House, that there is a lot going on in the state in terms of fraud and believed that would be a primary focus of her first term.
"We want to make sure that money going into the state goes where it belongs," she said.
Theis acknowledged that governor elect Amy Klobuchar was also committed to ending fraud in the state.
"I am willing to work with anyone who wants to stop fraud," she said. "That should help lower costs for Minnesota residents."
House District 15B includes Redwood, Brown and part of Blue Earth County.
In House District 21A, which includes Lincoln, Pipestone, Murray, Rock, and parts of Cottonwood and Nobles Counties, Republican candidate Krist Wollum had a wide margin of victory. Wollum received 13,384 votes, for a total of over 70% of the vote district-wide. DFL candidate Rusty Nelson received a total of 5,661 votes, the Secretary of State's Office reported.