Senator Gary Kubly, DFL, Granite Falls will return to a second term in the senate after fending off a challenge from political newcomer Gregg Kulberg, R, Hector. Kubly led by a 15,648 to 11,723 vote count, according to unofficial results on Wednesday morning.
The unofficial results included 36 of 37 precincts in the district.
Kubly, 66, is a Lutheran minister who has served as a legislator since winning election to a house seat in 1996.
He represents one of the largest, and most rural districts in the state.
Kubly campaigned on a theme of tenacity, telling voters he wanted to remain at work to promote job creation and agriculture in the district.
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Kubly and his wife Pat live in Granite Falls, where they raised three children.
Republican challenger Gregg Kulberg, 52, was making his first bid for political office but brought three decades of experience in business as an executive and owner. He currently farms in partnership with his siblings near Hector on the family farm where he was raised. He is single.
Kulberg campaigned as a conservative and promoted his business experience and a call for less government and no tax increases.
