Gov. Tim Walz sets special election date for two state House seats

Voters in northeast Minneapolis will head to the polls on Feb. 4 to elect a new state representative to replace the late DFL Rep. Diane Loeffler.

Loeffler, an eight-term Minneapolis Democrat, died of cancer earlier this month.

The special election for House District 60A, one of two open state legislative seats heading into the new year, was announced by Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday. A special primary election will be held on Jan. 21 if multiple candidates seek party nominations. Walz's office said in a statement that the primary date was meant to accommodate college students living in the district who return that day to the University of Minnesota for spring semester.

A special election in a House district northwest of the Twin Cities also is scheduled for Feb. 4. Republican Rep. Nick Zerwas, first elected in 2012, announced this week that he plans to resign Dec. 6. The Elk River Republican said he wanted to focus on his family and a private-sector career following a recent surgery related to a lifelong heart condition. A primary for that seat, House District 30A, could be held Jan. 14.

The Legislature reconvenes in St. Paul on Feb. 11.