2026 Minnesota Election Campaigns

With the Legislature adjourned and candidate filing now closed, Minnesota politics has officially transitioned into campaign season. The full field of candidates for the 2026 election is now set, providing a clearer picture of the races that will shape the state’s political landscape going forward.

The stakes are particularly high this cycle. Every statewide office, all 201 legislative seats, 8 U.S. Congressional Districts, and one U.S. Senate seat are on the ballot. With the House currently tied 67-67 and Democrats holding a narrow majority in the Senate, a relatively small number of competitive races could determine control of the Legislature in 2027. A handful of suburban and Greater Minnesota districts are expected to be key battlegrounds this fall.

The governor’s race is also beginning to take shape following party endorsement conventions and the closing of candidate filing. On the Democratic side, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will be on the ballot after receiving her party’s endorsement. Republicans, meanwhile, are headed toward a competitive August primary. Healthcare executive Kendall Qualls received the Republican endorsement, but will have to face off against House Speaker Lisa Demuth and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell in the primary.

Keep tabs on election season with the Fluence Media Election Tracker, which provides in-depth information on every race throughout the state.

State agencies are now responsible for carrying out the programs, funding initiatives, and policy changes approved by lawmakers during the 2026 session. Stakeholders around the state — like local governments, schools, businesses, and nonprofits — are also beginning to assess how legislation may impact them.

Some of the major legislation that will be implemented over the next few months includes:

• The $1.2 billion bonding bill
• Federal tax conformity and property tax relief
• Fraud prevention and oversight measures
• DHS IT modernization funding