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Two incumbent legislators lost their bids for re-election in Tuesday's primary election.

Voters in the Brainerd area have denied GOP
state Sen. Paul Koering a shot at a third term.
Koering lost his primary to state Rep. Paul Gazelka, who had the party's endorsement.


And Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, lost to a former state lawmaker after he tried to enact a special fishing rule on a
northern Minnesota lake where he owns a cabin.

      Koering was criticized during the campaign for straying from the Republican Party on legislative votes. The race got wide exposure this summer
when Koering, who is gay, acknowledged dining with a male adult
film star.


      Koering had complained the state party was engaged in dirty
campaigning when it filed requests with area law enforcement for
any records authorities had on him.


      Gazelka will face Democrat Taylor Stevenson. The Constitution
Party candidate is Steve Park.
      

Chaudhary was defeated by former state Rep. Barb Goodwin. Democrats stripped Chaudhary of their endorsement and gave it to Goodwin after the lake rule issue came to light. 

Chaudhary's troubles multiplied soon after when he acknowledged owing
the federal government about $250,000 in overdue income taxes. He
later paid the taxes.


 Former St. Paul Police Chief John
Harrington has won the DFL primary to run for the St. Paul Senate
seat vacated by Sen. Mee Moua.


      Harrington won the Tuesday primary in a crowded field of nine
candidates vying for the DFL nomination. It makes him the general
election favorite in the heavily Democratic district on St. Paul's
east side.


      Harrington was a 30-year veteran of the St. Paul Police
Department and became chief in 2004. He stepped down from the post
and the department at the end of June.


      Moua decided earlier this year not to seek a third term. She had
been the first Hmong-American member of the Minnesota Legislature.
      

Gallery

In rare move, DFL takes endorsement away from Sen. Chaudhary

Fish flap prompts challenger to Chaudhary's seat

After Moua's departure, a crowded DFL primary emerges in St. Paul

Harrington to run for state Senate

GOP Sen. Koering faces primary opposition from own party

Politics and Government News

State Sen. Satveer Chaudhary and Rep. Paul Koering were both defeated in their bids for re-election in Tuesday's primary. And former St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington won a nine-person primary for a state Senate seat in St. Paul.

Incumbents Chaudhary, Koering lose legislative seats

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