Maple Grove is growing. Is it also turning blue?

Warren Limmer left Maple Grove Republicans scrambling. 

After more than 30 years in the state Senate, the GOP lawmaker retired in February, right before the legislative session began. “It was a real shock to the community,” Limmer said in a phone interview. “No one was expecting me to retire.”

Limmer said he did minimal recruiting for his replacement to represent District 37, which also represents smaller towns to the west of Maple Grove, including Medina, Corcoran and Greenfield. 

A handful of Republican lawmakers informally asked state Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, to vie for the seat. But Robbins was campaigning for governor until May.

Into the breach stepped Brady Hoag, a political neophyte with a work history as a corporate headhunter. 

“Brady was the only candidate who was seeking endorsement,” Limmer said. “He certainly did a lot of campaigning and worked ha...