Dan Schoen Democratic (DFL) Karla Bigham Democratic (DFL) A special election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on February 12, 2018, to elect a new senator for District 54 in the Minnesota Senate, caused by the resignation of Dan Schoen effective on December 15, 2017.

Senator Michelle Fischbach was the subject of a lawsuit challenging her ability to remain in the Senate after she became lieutenant governor in early January 2018 when DFL Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith resigned to be appointed to the U.S.

2016 District 54 Republican nominee Leilani Holmstadt and Bob Anderson also sought the endorsement and said they would abide by it.

In explaining his decision to seek the Republican nomination, Brunsgaard said he did not like McNamara because he's a "self-serving politician.

"[6] The Senate District 54 DFL endorsed former state Representative Karla Bigham on November 30, 2017.

[10] Denny McNamara won the Republican nomination over James Brunsgaard in the primary election.