Gov. Dayton has proclaimed Wednesday, March 7, 2012 "Gary Kubly Day" and ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff in recognition of the late lawmaker from Granite Falls. Kubly died Friday at age 68.

Koenen won the special election with 54 percent of the vote Tuesday. He beat out GOP candidate Gregg Kulberg and Independent candidate Leon Greenslit. DFL Senator Gary Kubly died last month after a long battle with ALS.

The winner of the special election Tuesday will fill Kubly's seat for the remainder of the year. He passed away last month after a long battle with ALS. The candidates on the ballot are Leon Greenslit, Lyle Koenen and Gregg Kulberg. All 67 Senate seats are up for grabs again in November.

Kubly was rushed to the hospital Wednesday for a medical issue and passed away Friday. The 68-year-old was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2010. The former Lutheran pastor served in the Legislature since 1996.

State Senator Gary Kubly was hospitalized Wednesday because of a medical crisis. The DFLer is in critical condition at Regions Hospital. He's served in the Legislature since 1996. He was diagnosed with ALS--Lou Gehrig's Disease--in 2010.

The war over political control of the Minnesota Legislature has gotten far less media attention than the higher-profile races for president, congressional seats and the two controversial ballot measures in the state. But Democrats are battling to retake control of the Statehouse, which they lost two years ago.