In a closely watched special election, Democrat Xp Lee has won the race to fill the seat left vacant by the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. This victory restores the balance in the Minnesota House, resulting in an even split at 67-67. Voters headed to the polls amid concerns over political violence, casting their ballots in a climate marked by anxiety following the death of Hortman. Lee’s win not only honors his mentor but also highlights the ongoing challenges regarding political safety in the region.