Minnesota special election candidate attended Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6

Keri Heintzeman, a Republican candidate for the Minnesota state Senate, attended President Donald Trump’s infamous Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021.

Photos from her husband state Rep. Josh Heintzeman’s (R-Nisswa) Facebook page shows Keri and her son in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, with her husband claiming they left before the day’s events turned violent.

“Once the president finished his remarks Keri and [Keri’s son] we’re back on the road to Minnesota. Sounds like multiple groups then began to infiltrate the event and the violence started,” the post reads.

Screencap of a now-privatized Facebook post of Keri Heintzeman and her son in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. (Source: Josh Heintzeman on Facebook)

The post has been turned to “friends only.”

Heintzeman did not respond to a request to comment for this story and clarify when exactly she left Washington D.C. on Jan. 6.

Despite the violence that broke out on the infamous day, Keri Heintzeman served as a district director for Trump’s 2024 campaign in Minnesota. In a press release, Heintzeman explained that she is running on the foundation of fiscal responsibility, personal freedom and government transparency.

Keri Heintzeman is one of nine candidates who have filed to run in a special election to fill the seat for 6^th Senate District. The seat was left vacant after former state Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) resigned following his arrest during a sex sting operation on March 17. Eichorn was federally charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) scheduled a special election which will be held on April 29, with a primary election on April 15.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Heartland Signal has decided not to disclose the identity of Keri Heintzeman’s son, who appeared to be a minor at the time he attended the rally. His name and image have been purposefully censored.

Also, a previous version of this story said there were 11 candidates running for the seat. It was 11, but after two candidates dropped out, the current number is nine.