David Osmek Defeats Connie Doepke in Close State Senate District 33 Primary

Editor's note: Patch incorrectly reported results of this race Tuesday night. Local editor Jay Corn apologizes for the error and regrets any confusion it may have caused.

Mound City Councilman David Osmek has narrowly defeated fellow Republican Connie Doepke in Tuesday's State Senate District 33 primary, according to unofficial results posted by the Minnesota Secretary of State.

"Connie just called me, with a heartfelt congratulation," Osmek wrote on Twitter just after midnight. "Its time to move forward together..and win in November."

The race was among the state's closest and less than 2 percent of the vote seperated the two candidates as Tuesday turned to Wednesday.

With all 39 precincts reporting, Osmek's margin of victory appears to be just over 100 votes—2,885 (50.94 percent) to 2,778 (49.06 percent).

It is unclear whether a recount will occur.

Doepke took an early lead after the first wave of results and led by just 12 votes with the last three precincts yet to report. Doepke won Hennepin County with 2,486 to Osmek's 2,348 but lost the handful of Carver County precincts in the Chanhassan area, 537-292.

The State Senate District 33 seat is being vacated by the retiring Gen Olson, who has represented the Lake Minnetonka area since 1982.

Osmek captured the Republican Party's endorsement at the GOP's regional convention earlier this year, and he has served on the Mound City Council for the last decade.

Doepke, who lives in Orono, currently represents District 33A in the State House. She previously represented District 33B prior to redistricting earlier this year. 

Osmek will now advance to the general election and face the DFL's Judy Rogosheske.

Patch will have additional updates to this story as they become available.

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Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Pat Shortridge and Deputy Chairwoman Kelly Fenton issued the following statement congratulating Dave Osmek on winning the primary today in Senate District 33.

“We want to congratulate Dave Osmek on winning the GOP primary today in Senate District 33. Dave has been a long-time activist and volunteer, and will serve Minnesotans well in the State Senate. He will work to bring our conservative principles to St. Paul and act as a check on Governor Dayton.

“We are proud of the work Dave has already accomplished this campaign season and we will continue to work on his behalf as we head into November.”