ALBERT LEA — Shannon Savick didn’t see it coming.

The former Wells mayor’s upset of incumbent House District 27A Rep. Rich Murray Tuesday surprised even her.

“My whole life I can’t remember my knees shaking like this,” she said.

The race between Murray, R-Albert Lea, and Savick, DFL-Wells, drew state leaders from both parties to Albert Lea in recent weeks to rally for the candidates. Outside groups have also spent big money on the candidates as both sides struggled for power in the state Legislature.

According to results from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, Savick got 653 more votes than Murray with 9,744 votes and 9,091 votes, respectively.

A swing factor in the race could have been the 1,574 votes received by Independence Party candidate William Wagner of Geneva, which were enough to bridge the gap between Murray and Savick.

Under new district boundaries, District 27A encompasses all of Freeborn County and portions of Faribault County, Dodge County, Steele County and one township, Udolpho, in Mower County.

Savick, who worked in the high-tech computer industry for more than 20 years, had planned to run for the Legislature in District 24B before the districts were reorganized. She said she decided to run after seeing firsthand in Wells how the Legislature’s decisions can affect small communities.

Murray, the owner of a small financial advisement firm, was elected to the seat in 2010 by a margin of 57 votes.

Murray said he was proud of his race and plans to continue his efforts to help the community.

Though he said he felt “a little dejected,” he believes things in life happen for a reason.

“When one door closes, another one opens,” Murray said.

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