Minnesota's state house district 4A is represented by Democratic Representative Ben Lien.

Minnesota state representatives represent an average of 39,582 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 36,713 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Minnesota legislators assume office the first day of the biennial (2-year) session.

Qualifications

To be eligible to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives, a candidate must be:

• Eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Not filed for more than one office for the upcoming primary or general election
• At least 21 years old
• A resident of Minnesota for a least one year
• A resident of the legislative district for at least 6 months before the general election date

Salaries

Vacancies

In Minnesota, all vacancies in the house must be filled by a special election. It is up to the appropriate elections authorities to schedule an election as soon as possible. The election must be held during the next general election if there is more than 150 days left in the term. If the house is in session, a special election must be called by the Governor no later than 35 days after the vacancy happened. If a vacancy happens when the house is out of session and less than 150 days are left in the term, a special election must called by the Governor as soon as possible. This is to allow the winner of the election to be sworn in when the house reconvenes.

2016 pivot county

This district is one of 710 state legislative districts that intersects with one or more Pivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012.

The 206 Pivot Counties are located in 34 states. Iowa, with 31, had the most such counties. The partisan makeup of state legislative districts intersecting with Pivot Counties is slightly more Republican than the overall partisan makeup of state legislatures throughout the country.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline is June 2, 2020.

2018

2016

Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.

Incumbent Ben Lien defeated Jordan Idso in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A general election.

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4A General Election, 2016

Incumbent Ben Lien ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A Democratic primary.
Jordan Idso ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A Republican primary.

2014

Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Incumbent Ben Lien was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Brian Gramer was unopposed in the Republican primary. Lien defeated Gramer in the general election.

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4A General Election, 2014

2012

Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 5, 2012. Ben Lien (D) defeated Travis Reimche (R) in the general election. Lien defeated Sue Wiger in the Democratic primary, while Reimche defeated Ken Lucier and Benjamin Larson in the Republican primary.

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4A, General Election, 2012

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4A Democratic Primary, 2012

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4A Republican Primary, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A raised a total of $531,589. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $19,688 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A