Rep. Angie Craig files lawsuit in attempt to have 2nd District election continue as scheduled despite candidate’s death
In this Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 file photo, then Rep.-elect Angie Craig, D-Minn., stops to speak to the media as she arrives for orientation for new members of Congress, in Washington. Craig has said that she remains undecided on whether to support the articles of impeachment against Republican President Donald Trump.[(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)]
State Rep. Angie Craig has filed a complaint asking to attempt to ensure that the Second Congressional District election will take place in November despite the death of a major party candidate in the district.
According to a release from the representative’s campaign, Craig and Apple Valley resident Jenny Winslow Davies filed a federal lawsuit to attempt to ensure that the Minnesota Second Congressional District election will continue as scheduled for November despite the death of a major party candidate.
Adam Weeks, the representative running in the Second District for the Legal Marijuana Now Party, died earlier in September.
According to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, state law states that if a major party nominee dies within 79 days of Election Day, a special election will be held on the second Tuesday of February.
Minnesota law was changed in 2013 to avoid a repeat of the state’s frenetic 2002 U.S. Senate election, when incumbent Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash less than two weeks before the election. Democrats rushed to replace Wellstone with former Vice President Walter Mondale, who lost to Republican Norm Coleman.
The date of the special election will be held on Feb. 9, 2021.
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Craig and Davies’ lawsuit claims that postponing the election is in violation of federal law that requires elections for the U.S. House of Representatives to occur as part of the November general election in even-numbered years.
You can read Craig’s entire statement below:
“The people of Minnesota’s Second Congressional District deserve to have a voice fighting for them in Washington. Unfortunately, the process currently in place would deprive Minnesotans of their seat at the table at a time when critical legislation affecting our state will be debated – including bills to rid politics of special interests, ensure quality, affordable health care for every Minnesotan and safeguard our family farmers.
Hardworking second district families are entitled to representation in Congress, and that’s why I’m taking action today to ensure that the election this November proceeds as mandated by federal law. I strongly urge every voter in the 2nd Congressional District to continue to mark their ballots, and I will continue to fight to ensure that every Minnesotan has the representation they deserve in Congress next year.”