The wife of a Republican state lawmaker had a commanding lead Tuesday night in a special primary election in Minnesota’s 6th Senate District, where the seat was vacated after the arrest and resignation of GOP Sen. Justin Eichorn.

In the eight-candidate Republican field, Keri Heintzeman was ahead with about 47% of the vote after 76 of 80 precincts had reported. Retired Grand Rapids veterinarian John Howe was in second place with about 16% of the vote. Former state Republican Party chair and current Nisswa Mayor Jennifer Carnahan was in third place with about 11% of the vote.

Other Republican candidates were Steve Cotariu, a Merrifield veteran and businessman; Josh Gazelka, a Brainerd resident who is the son of former state Sen. Paul Gazelka; Doug Kern, a Brainerd business owner; and Angel Zierden, a former Breezy Point mayor.

Heintzeman’s husband, Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, represents House District 6B.

In the DFL primary, Denise Slipy, an environmental health and safety professional from Breezy Point, ran unopposed.

Slipy will face the Republican primary winner in the April 29 special election. The outcome won’t affect the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats currently have a two-vote majority. District 6, which stretches from Brainerd and Baxter north to Grand Rapids, has shifted Republican but Democrats hope political winds might be shifting.

Eichorn resigned last month after he was charged with attempting to solicit a minor in what turned out to be a police sting operation in Bloomington.