As the candidate filing period comes to a close, the race to fill an open state Senate seat in Rochester is shaping up to become a critical battleground as both of Minnesota’s major political parties fight for control of a divided Legislature.
The GOP incumbent, Sen. Carla Nelson, is retiring. At least three fellow Republicans have filed to run for the seat, including Chuck Bradford, Dan Sepeda and former State House Rep. Nels Pierson.
Pierson represented the area from 2015 until 2023 and, more recently, has worked in real estate. In a statement announcing his candidacy, he said his previous service in the Minnesota House has well prepared him for the role.
“I’ve enjoyed bringing people together to find lasting solutions,” he said. “It was an honor to represent our neighbors in the Minnesota House for eight years, and I hope to continue that work in the State Senate by applying the same strong work ethic and problem-solving approach.”
Nelson announced earlier this year that she would retire at the end of this term after representing Rochester in the House and then the Senate for nearly two decades.
“Serving the people of Rochester and southeastern Minnesota has been a great privilege and responsibility,” Sen. Nelson said in a statement announcing her retirement. “For many years, the people of this district have given me their trust, and that is a gift I will carry with me. I look forward to new ways to serve.”
Nelson has been the lone Republican representing Rochester for several years. While she’s handily beat Democrats in previous elections, Rochester is increasingly blue. A big factor is Rochester’s demographic growth, particularly as more people with advanced degrees flock to Mayo Clinic and related businesses for work.
Those transplants tend to be more liberal on social issues, including abortion, racial and gender equality, and safety net programs.
DFL party chair Richard Carlbom said Rochester’s demographic shifts represent a real opportunity for Democrats to flip the seat from red to blue.
He said the party plans to put significant resources behind the campaign of DFLer Simon Glaser, who has the party endorsement and is the only DFLer who has filed to run for Nelson’s seat so far.
"Now that [Nelson] has decided to retire, Simon Glaser, a public school teacher from Rochester, is going to win that seat,” Carlbom said. “He's going to knock on 17,000 doors. He has a plan to reach out to voters, have one-on-one conversations … and I'm really excited about our chances in that district."
