Two incumbents appeared to be on the way to victory in two legislative districts serving Stearns County, including the Paynesville area.
District 14
Republican incumbent Sen. Michelle Fischbach was re-elected Tuesday in Minnesota Senate District 14.
Fischbach, 40, of Paynesville had a strong lead against DFL challenger Paul Stacke, 71, of Sartell.
At midnight the Minnesota Secretary of State's Web site reported Fischbach leading 59.47 percent to 40.48 percent, with vote totals of 6,755 to 4,598. Those totals were from 24 of 55 precincts reporting.
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Fischbach has been a state senator for 10 years and had previously served on the Paynesville City Council.
Stacke is a retired political and government reporter and morning anchor for radio station WJON in St. Cloud. He served two terms on the St. Cloud City Council in the 1970s.
District 14 includes eastern Stearns County and western Benton County.
District 14B
Incumbent DFL Rep. Larry Hosch had a strong lead over Republican challenger Nate Stang.
At midnight, the Secretary of State's Web site indicated that Hosch had 3,543 votes to Stang's 3,115, a margin of 53.18 percent to 46.76 percent, with 12 of 26 precincts reporting.
Hosch, 29, of St. Joseph is a co-owner of Lamar Homes & Remodeling.
Hosch was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2004. He has served on the Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs; Local Government; and Rules and Legislative Administration committees.
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Stang, 21, of Cold Spring is general manager of the Great Blue Heron Restaurant in Cold Spring. He is the nephew of former Rep. Doug Stang, who was elected to the Legislature in 1996 when he was 21.
District 14B includes areas south and west of St. Cloud.
