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Two candidates are running for the open state Senate District 53 seat: South St. Paul School Board Member Paul Cumings and South St. Paul City Council Member Todd Podgorski.
Where: Senate District 53 includes the southern half of West St. Paul, Grey Cloud Island Township, Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Newport, St. Paul Park, South St. Paul, and portions of Cottage Grove and Mendota Heights. The district leans to the DFL—Matt Klein won the 2022 election with more than 58% of the vote.
Context: It’s an open seat this year since incumbent Matt Klein is running for Congress.
The Candidates
Paul Cumings currently serves on the South St. Paul School Board and is running as DFL.
- Why: “Our district deserves a bridge builder and a leader who will continue to deliver real results to improve the material conditions of the lives of Minnesotans.”
- Endorsements: North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association.
- Day job: Executive assistant to the majority leader at the Minnesota House DFL.
- Elected office: Cumings is serving his first term on the South St. Paul School Board.
- Mechanics: Elected to School Board in 2024, Cumings’ term runs through 2028. So if he loses, he retains his seat. If he wins, he would resign and the school board would appoint a replacement.
- More: Learn more at Cumings’ website.
Todd Podgorski currently serves on the South St. Paul City Council and is running as a Republican.
- Filed not announced: Podgorski has filed to run, but hasn’t officially announced. We reached out for a comment, but he did not provide answers by the time we ran our story.
- Day job: Podgorski is a Ramsey County sheriff’s deupty.
- Elected office: Podgorski is serving his fourth term on the South St. Paul City Council. He served from 2011-2018 and then 2021 to present. Podgorski also served on the South St. Paul School Board from 2003 to 2006.
- Other runs: In 2018, Podgorski ran for Dakota County commissioner against Kathleen Gaylord. In 2016, he ran in the DFL primary for state senate against Matt Klein. In 2008, he ran for South St. Paul City Council and came in fourth in a six-way race for three seats.
- Mechanics: Last elected to Council in 2024, Podgorski’s term runs through 2028. So if he loses, he retains his seat. If he wins, he would resign and the Council and mayor would appoint a replacement.
- More: Learn more at Podgorski’s website (from his 2024 City Council campaign).
What’s Next
We’ll see if any other candidates announce campaigns.
The party endorsement process will happen this spring, with the filing period closing on June 2. A primary, if necessary, will be Aug. 11, 2026.
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