Finke Wins Reelection in Minnesota House Race
Minnesota's first out transgender legislator defeated Republican Mark Born in District 66A.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in LGBTQ+
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Democrat Leigh Finke won reelection to the Minnesota House in District 66A, defeating Republican Mark Born with more than 85 percent of the vote. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 2:19 a.m. Wednesday, with more than 95 percent of votes counted.
Why it matters
Finke is Minnesota's first out transgender legislator, and her win extends her role in shaping state policy on LGBTQ+ rights in St. Paul and across the state. Her reelection keeps her in position to continue advancing protections she helped write into law.
Finke's vote share rose from approximately 81 percent in 2022 to more than 85 percent in this race, according to reported returns. The extraction does not provide certified totals, so the final figures remain unconfirmed.
The players
Leigh Finke
Finke is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor legislator and Minnesota's first out transgender lawmaker, known for authoring the state's trans refuge law.
Tim Walz
Walz is the Governor of Minnesota who signed the trans refuge legislation into law in April 2023 after issuing a related executive order.
The details
Finke, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, authored Minnesota's trans refuge legislation, which Gov. Tim Walz signed in April 2023. The law protects people seeking or providing gender-affirming care by preventing Minnesota courts and officials from helping enforce out-of-state actions targeting that care.
Timeline
2022: Finke won her first election to the Minnesota House.
April 2023: Walz signed the trans refuge legislation into law.
2025-26 legislative session: Finke became House author of the state Equal Rights Amendment.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Decision Desk HQ called the race at 2:19 a.m.
Political Context
Finke's win comes after she authored legislation that codified protections Walz had initially established by executive order, moving them into state statute. Her continued tenure keeps that statutory framework under her authorship in the House.
The trans refuge law Finke authored limits how out-of-state actions can reach Minnesota residents seeking gender-affirming care. Finke's continued seat means that legal protection remains under her legislative oversight in St. Paul's district.
The takeaway
Electoral durability for LGBTQ+ legislators can help sustain policies that might otherwise depend on executive action alone. Residents tracking these protections can follow legislative records for District 66A.
Further reading
For more on the policies shaping this race, explore LGBTQ+ coverage from Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gay News, LGBT Rights, Politics, Entertainment.
Live Poll
Should states block enforcement of other states' restrictions on gender-affirming care?
