NEW ULM — District 15B Republican Paul Torkelson of Lake Hanska was re-elected to serve his ninth term as a member of the Republican Caucus Tuesday.

With 74% of the votes counted late Tuesday, Torkelson had 13,957 (72.7%) of the votes. Democratic challenger Tom Kuster of New Ulm had 5,251 (27.3%) of the votes.

“I think we’re looking pretty good. This will be my ninth time around. I have great support from the voters. I’m very happy about it. We’re waiting for the rest of the results from tonight. The House voting numbers are not final yet. It seems the numbers are jumping around on the website. They’re there, then they disappear,” he said.

Schwartz of Nicollet upset District 18A Democratic incumbent Jeff Brand, getting 12,281 votes to 11,482 votes for Brand with all 35 precincts reporting, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State unofficial results website.

“We’re really happy about Erica Schwartz in Nicollet County with a win over Jeff Brand on the Nicollet County Board. We’re really happy to see her take the victory. We’re very proud of her,” Torkelson said.

Torkelson received 50 of the initial 64 votes over Democratic challenger Tom Kuster.

With 15 of 78 precincts reporting, Torkelson had 2,317 votes to 546 for Kuster.

Deputy Leader of the House Republican Caucus, Torkelson served as GOP Lead of the Elections Finance and Policy, Ethics and Rules and Legislative Administration committees.

He has authored legislation directly related to elections, transportation, environment, taxes and clean water issues.

Raising corn, soybeans and hogs on the farm established by his great-grandfather in 1878, Torkelson and his wife Cindy, a retired grade school teacher, have two adult daughters, Annika and Britta.

For more information, visit https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/