Gov. Tim Walz has set a special election for April 29 to replace former state Sen. Justin Eichorn, who resigned his seat in Senate District 6 last week amid allegations he solicited sex from a minor.

Bloomington police arrested Eichorn on March 17 as part of a prostitution sting in which an undercover officer impersonated a 17-year-old girl. Eichorn sent Walz his letter of resignation Thursday morning after he was charged in federal court with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

Carleton College political expert Steven Schier says now that the governor set special election dates for next month, candidates are scrambling to run their campaigns.

“Who can get some money quickly because you need money to run this race, and you’ve got a few weeks before the election,” said Schier.

So far, at least eight candidates — seven Republicans and one Democrat — have announced their candidacy for the district that stretches from Grand Rapids to Brainerd and includes parts of Cass, Crow Wing and Itasca counties:

• Jennifer Carnahan, mayor of Nisswa and former Minnesota GOP chair
• Steve “Hudson” Cotariu, a businessman and magician
• Josh Gazelka, son of former Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka
• Keri Heintzeman, wife of state Rep. Josh Heintzeman
• John Howe, a retired veterinarian
• Doug Kern, an anti-abortion activist
• Angel Zierden, former mayor of Breezy Point
• Nicole Hardy, a Ph.D. scientist and substitute teacher
• Emily LeClaire, a former DFL candidate for Minnesota House District 6B

Schier says name recognition is extremely valuable in a race like this, saying, “You have a very crowded Republican field of seven candidates, and a few will emerge.”

“Hopefully, someone else gets in into that seat and make better decisions,” one voter said.

Last week, when 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS stopped in the community of Crosby to talk to voters, the scandal around the allegations against the now-former Senator Eichorn was quite the talk in the town.

Crosby is one of the communities in the district that covers Crow Wing, Cass and Itasca counties.

University of Minnesota political expert Larry Jacobs says the district has trended red.

“Once you get to the general election, the Republican will be the heavy favorite. This is strong Trump territory, where Republicans have consistently won legislative races,” said Jacobs.

The window to file for candidacy with the Secretary of State’s Office opens on Wednesday and closes at 5 p.m on April 1. A primary will be held on April 15, two weeks before the special election takes place.

The winner of the special election likely won’t take the oath of office until May 5, just two weeks before the Legislature must wrap up the regular session.