Thank you for endorsing and supporting me, Education Minnesota!

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, working with the League of Women Voters, held a forum last night to meet the candidates for next week’s state Senate District 6 special election.

Both candidates were invited to attend the event, but only DFL candidate Denise Slipy accepted the invitation. Chamber staff said Republican candidate Keri Heintzeman turned down the opportunity to focus on face-to-face interactions with prospective voters.

On Tuesday, District 6 residents filled in the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors building in Baxter to learn more about what platforms Slipy was running on.

“Most of you who know me know why I’m running. For those that do not know me, I am running to be your voice in St. Paul,” said Slipy to the audience at the forum. “I am not running to go to St. Paul, I’m running to take you with me to St. Paul.”

Slipy answered seven questions from Brainerd Lakes Chamber President Matt Kilian, as well as many questions that were submitted from members of the audience.

“My question to her would be, how do we handle the hostility and extremism that we’re seeing on both ends of the party and how would you temper those attitudes?” asked prospective voter Nicole Hardy. “Because she is a moderate and I would like to see what she has to say as a moderate.”

Some major themes on the night included affordable housing and affordable healthcare, with both topics drawing multiple audience questions.

“In order to attract new business startups, we have to have affordable housing, affordable childcare, and strong public schools,” Slipy responded. “The working class is overtaxed. Families are struggling, and this needs to be addressed. We have been ignored and underrepresented for basically a decade now, and that’s why so many of us are frustrated at government.”

For Slipy, the event provided a great opportunity for her to get her message out to voters.

“It’s amazing to see the support, that people are actually practicing democracy and coming out and wanting to get the views of the candidates,” she told Lakeland News after the event. “I’m disheartened that my opponent wasn’t here so that people could hear both sides. But, you know, there’s more that unites us than what divides us, and it was an honor and a privilege to be here tonight.”

“Stonewall DFL is proud to endorse Slipy4Senate in the April 29 Special Election in Senate District 6.

She knows the power of government to do good and we know she will be a strong advocate for a thriving rural Minnesota, and a safe and thriving LGBTQ+ community in SD6.” - Stonewall DFL endorsement

Thank you for endorsing and supporting me, Minnesota DFL Environmental Caucus!

The DFL Senior Caucus endorsement is especially important to me in this time of Medicare uncertainty and the impact that will have on aging Minnesotans, especially in rural areas. I’m honored to have the DFL Senior Caucus as a partner in this race to represent SD6 at the Capitol!

Thank you for endorsing and supporting me, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5!

I’m proud to have earned the Ranked Choice Voting Democracy Champion badge from FairVote Minnesota! FairVote Minnesota awards its 2025 RCV Democracy Champion Badge to candidates who support RCV local option legislation –– the ability of local jurisdictions to adopt RCV if they choose. I support ranked choice voting local options legislation for 2025 that would give all Minnesota counties, cities, towns, and school boards the opportunity to use RCV if they choose, and provide consistent standards for implementation.

Thank you for endorsing and supporting me, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees! I will represent and support all of our valued public employees.

I’m honored to have the endorsement of the DFL Rural Caucus! Rural communities are the backbone of Minnesota, and I’m committed to fighting for the investments, resources, and opportunities we deserve. Thank you for your support!

“Women Winning is proud to endorse Denise Slipy for the Minnesota Senate Special Election in Senate District 6!

At this critical moment in our nation's history, it is more important than ever that we have strong, unwavering advocates for reproductive rights at every level of government. The predatory actions of former Senator Justin Eichorn are reflective of the larger, more threatening problems of abuse and exploitation of women and girls in our nation, including the restriction of bodily autonomy and abortion rights. Women and girls should be protected by their government and feel safe within their communities. Denise Slipy will champion reproductive freedom in District 6, creating a community that safeguards the rights of its citizens so that every woman, girl, and family can thrive, knowing that their rights will be defended and upheld. We are confident Denise will be a strong, compassionate voice for the people of Senate District 6. We are proud to endorse her candidacy in this special election.

Denise Slipy is a resilient, strong, and competent leader. She knows the challenges that face the communities she is looking to serve throughout the greater Cass, Crow Wing, and Itasca Counties. Throughout her adult life, Denise has dedicated herself to volunteering and serving her community–serving as a volunteer firefighter, first responder, corrections officer, and reserve officer. Raised in a rural area of Indiana by her grandparents who adopted her, she was taught early on the importance of standing up for those who are less fortunate. Denise is passionate about Healthcare, and Economic Development as well as the future of our environment and education. Denise will be a strong advocate for the Northland and the people of Senate District 6 in St. Paul.

Women Winning will make additional endorsements in 2025 and will continue organizing to ensure reproductive rights are protected by electing pro-choice women up and down the ballot.” - Women Winning endorsement

“The Minnesota AFL-CIO General Board has voted to endorse Denise Slipy in the DFL Primary and Angel Zierdan GOP Primary for the Senate District 6 Special Election. The Primary is this Tuesday, April 15! #mnleg” - Minnesota AFL-CIO Endorsement

As of April 2nd, the candidates have been finalized for the Minnesota Senate District 6 seat recently vacated by Just Eichorn. Nine candidates have thrown their names into the race, with eight Republican candidates and one DFL candidate.

Denise Slipy of Crow Wing County is the only DFL candidate in the race. Slipy works as an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist and first responder and chose to run for the open seat to give a voice back to the district.

“I’m running to be the voice of the people, all people, not just the party,” said Slipy.

Slipy noted that she believes economic development, education, and pay equity are the major issues impacting District 6 and that if she were to be elected, she would hold true to her promise of being a voice for the people by being transparent in her actions.

“It’s got to be back to the people. We keep hearing everything has to go back to the states, right? Well, now it’s time for everything to go back to the people. And I think with the marches from this weekend, that shows that the people are tired of not being heard, and they’re going to stand up and have their voice heard. And I want to be that sounding board for them,” said Slipy.

The DFL candidate would also work with her Republican counterparts to reach a common end goal.

“If I’m elected, I want to show that we can still work together. It’s time for the parties to go away. We need to actually be humans again, be kind to each other, be empathetic,” said Slipy.

DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom discussed the party’s upcoming plans, including Denise Slipy and the upcoming District 6 special election, during the April 4th episode of the MPR Politics Friday podcast.

Newly elected DFL Chair Richard Carlbom kicked off a statewide listening tour with a trip to Brainerd, joined by Denise Slipy, who has earned the party endorsement for Senate District 6. - Brainerd Dispatch article

Video from Northern News Now

BREEZY POINT — Denise Slipy announced her candidacy for the special state Senate District 6 election and her intention to seek a DFL endorsement on Wednesday, March 26. - KAXE article

Denise Slipy of Crow Wing County became the latest candidate to throw their hat in the ring for the newly vacant Minnesota Senate District 6 seat on Thursday, March 27th. - WDIO article