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Former state Rep. Mary Jo McGuire won the DFL primary election in Senate District 66 with 54 percent of the vote, according to the Ramsey County Elections division. She handily defeated current state Rep. John Lesch, who garnered 36 percent of the vote. Attorney Steven Marchese finished well back with just under 10 percent of the vote.

McGuire defeats Lesch in SD 66 DFL primary

By: Paul Demko March 29, 2011

Mary Jo McGuire

Former state Rep. Mary Jo McGuire won the DFL primary election in Senate District 66 with 54 percent of the vote, according to the Ramsey County Elections division. She handily defeated current state Rep. John Lesch, who garnered 36 percent of the vote. Attorney Steven Marchese finished a distant third with less than 10 percent of the vote.

McGuire will face perennial GOP candidate Greg Copeland in the April 12 special election. The winner will replace former DFL Sen. Ellen Anderson, who resigned after being appointed to chair the Public Utilities Commission by Gov. Mark Dayton.

Lesch earned widespread support from organized labor, but McGuire had the backing of House District 66B Rep. Alice Hausman.