2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election
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The 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Minnesota. Incumbent Democratic (DFL) governor Tim Walz initially ran for re-election to a third term but ended his re-election campaign in January 2026. Primary elections will be held on August 11, 2026.[1]
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November 3, 2026
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Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary
After Tim Walz announced he was not seeking re-election, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar launched a campaign for the governor's office on January 29, 2026.[2] Several other Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidates filed, none of whom have previously held elected offices in the state. Community organizer Kobey Layne challenged Klobuchar for the DFL's endorsement on May 30, 2026, but Klobuchar was endorsed in the first ballot alongside her running mate Ben Schierer.[3]
Candidates
Declared
- Tom Evenstad, public safety specialist[4][5]
- Running mate: Jason Haarsager[6]
- Bill Gates, Jr., former pastor[7][8]
- Running mate: Leah Harris[6]
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator (2007–present)[9]
- Running mate: Ben Schierer, former mayor of Fergus Falls (2017–2025)[10] (initially ran for state auditor)
- Kobey Layne, community organizer[11][12][6]
- Po Vang[14][5]
- Running mate: Mark Frascone[6]
- Ole Savior[6]
- Running mate: Ashley Johnson[6]
- Mohammad Wazwaz[6][15]
Not on ballot
Withdrawn
Declined
- Angie Craig, U.S. representative from MN-02 (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Klobuchar)[22]
- Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for re-election)[23]
- Peggy Flanagan, Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Klobuchar)[24]
- Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from MN-03 (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024[25]
- Steve Simon, secretary of state of Minnesota (2015–present) (running for re-election)[26][27]
- Tina Smith, U.S. senator (2018–present)[28]
Endorsements
Kobey Layne
- Organizations
Amy Klobuchar
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation (2021–2025)[30]
- Labor unions
- Service Employees International Union[31]
- Teamsters Joint Council 32[32]
- Organizations
- Elect Democratic Women[33]
- EMILY's List[34]
- End Citizens United[35]
- Giffords (previously endorsed Walz)[36]
- Political parties
Tim Walz (withdrawn)
- Labor unions
- Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council[38]
- Organizations
- Democratic Governors Association[39]
- Planned Parenthood North Central States[40]
- VoteVets[41]
Giffords(later endorsed Klobuchar)[36]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate
| Campaign finance reports as of May 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Bill Gates, Jr. (DFL) | $884 | $884 | $0 |
| Amy Klobuchar (DFL) | $7,045,318 | $3,185,636 | $3,859,683 |
| Kobey Layne (DFL) | $4,618 | $3,043 | $1,574 |
| Po Vang (DFL) | $749 | $749 | $0 |
| Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board[42] | |||
Caucus vote
On February 3, 2026, Minnesota DFLers held their party caucus.[43] Amy Klobuchar won the party's straw poll for governor with approximately 72% of the vote.[44]
Results
Klobuchar
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90–100%
Uncommitted
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
Abstained
- No votes
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Amy Klobuchar | 22,484 | 71.71% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Christopher Seymore | 397 | 1.27% | |
| Write-in | 1,097 | 3.50% | ||
| None | Uncommitted | 6,722 | 21.44% | |
| None | Abstained | 655 | 2.09% | |
| Total votes | 31,355 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Loner Blue, perennial candidate[6][45]
- Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present)[47]
- Running mate: Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022[48]
- Raul Estrada, construction worker and organizer with the American Indian Coalition[49]
- Running mate: Joe Kincaid[6]
- John Krhin, pastor[50]
- Running mate: Dennis Conn[6]
- Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of My Pillow and candidate for RNC chair in 2023[51]
- Ross Nova[53][6]
- Kendall Qualls, healthcare technology executive, nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2020, and candidate for governor in 2022[54]
- Running mate: Brian Nicholson, construction firm chief executive[55]
Not on ballot
- Patrick Knight, food company CEO[56]
Withdrawn
- Peggy Bennett, state representative from district 23A (2015–present) (withdrew after her running mate dropped out)[57]
- Elliott Engen, state representative from District 36A (2023–present) (withdrawn)
- Scott Jensen, former state senator from the 47th district (2017–2021) and nominee for governor in 2022 (running for state auditor)[58]
- Jeff Johnson, former St. Cloud city councilor (2010–2018)[a][59]
- Chris Madel, attorney[60]
- Phillip Parrish, retired Naval intelligence officer, teacher, and school administrator (running for lieutenant governor as Mike Lindell's running mate)[6][61]
- Kristin Robbins, state representative from district 37A (2019–present)[62]
- Lee Albert Wickboldt[63]
Declined
- Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) (running for re-election)[64]
- Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010[65]
- Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present)[65]
- Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011)[66]
Endorsements
Mike Lindell
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[b]
- Organizations
Kendall Qualls
Political parties
- State legislators
- Kristin Robbins, Minnesota legislator and former candidate for this race[75]
Declined to endorse
- State legislators
Kristin Robbins, Minnesota legislator and former candidate for this race[76] (endorsed Kendall Qualls following MNGOP convention)[77]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate
| Campaign finance reports as of May 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Lisa Demuth (R) | $360,892 | $286,293 | $517,679 |
| Raul Estrada (R) | $4,765 | $4,854 | $20 |
| John Krhin (R) | $58,266 | $52,722 | $2,044 |
| Mike Lindell (R) | $648,960 | $717,491 | $11,704 |
| Ross Nova (R) | $6,000 | $3,048 | $2,952 |
| Kendall Qualls (R) | $211,305 | $294,731 | $34,189 |
| Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board[42] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Lisa Demuth |
Scott Jensen |
Mike Lindell |
Kendall Qualls |
Kristin Robbins |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSTP/Survey USA[78] | June 11-16, 2026 | 450 (LV) | ± 5.4% | 22% | – | 27% | 17% | – | 10% | 24% |
| Big Data Poll (R)[79][A] | May 18–20, 2026 | 512 (LV) | – | 19% | – | 21% | 9% | – | 12%[d] | 39% |
| Robbins withdraws from the race | ||||||||||
| Jensen withdraws from the race | ||||||||||
| Peak Insights (R)[80][B] | January 31 – February 1, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 17% | 12% | 18% | 11% | 3% | 7%[e] | 32% |
Caucus vote
On February 3, 2026, Minnesota Republicans held their party caucus.[81] Lisa Demuth won the party's straw poll for governor with approximately 32% of the vote.[44]
Results
Demuth
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
Qualls
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
Lindell
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
Robbins
- 30–40%
Parrish
- 20–30%
Bennett
- 40–50%
Undecided
- 30–40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lisa Demuth | 5,827 | 31.86% | |
| Republican | Kendall Qualls | 4,624 | 25.28% | |
| Republican | Mike Lindell | 3,235 | 17.69% | |
| Republican | Scott Jensen | 1,185 | 6.48% | |
| Republican | Kristin Robbins | 776 | 4.24% | |
| Republican | Phil Parrish | 728 | 3.98% | |
| Republican | Patrick Knight | 362 | 1.98% | |
| Republican | Jeff Johnson | 139 | 0.76% | |
| Republican | Peggy Bennett | 112 | 0.61% | |
| Republican | Brad Kohler | 78 | 0.43% | |
| Republican | Raul Estrada | 62 | 0.34% | |
| Republican | John Krhin | 59 | 0.32% | |
| Write-in | 56 | 0.31% | ||
| None | Undecided | 1,046 | 5.72% | |
| Total votes | 18,289 | 100.00% | ||
Debates
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
|||||||||||||||
| Peggy Bennett | Lisa Demuth | Raul Estrada | Scott Jensen | Jeff Johnson | Patrick Knight | Brad Kohler | Mike Lindell | Chris Madell | Phil Parrish | Kendall Qualls | |||||
| 1 | Jan. 15, 2026 | Scott County Republican Party | Bill Lieske | YouTube | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| 2 | Mar. 11, 2026 | Second Congressional District Republicans | Tayler Rahm | YouTube | N | P | N | W | W | P | N | N | W | N | P |
| 3 | May 21, 2026 | KTTC Republican Party of Olmsted County |
YouTube | N | P | N | W | W | P | N | N | W | N | P | |
Independents and others
Candidates
Declared
Not on ballot
- Tom Berhane[84][6]
- Zac Harding[85][6]
- Adam Kedrowski[86][6]
- Brad Kohler, retired mixed martial arts fighter (previously registered as a Republican)[87][88][6]
- Steve Patterson, Grassroots-LC nominee for governor in 2022[89][90][6]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
Mike Newcome (I) (withdrawn)
- Political parties
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on Hand |
| Steve Young (G) | $1,586 | $369 | $1,218 |
| Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board[42] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[95] | Likely D | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[96] | Safe D | June 19, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[97] | Solid D | June 5, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[98] | Safe D | September 4, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[99] | Solid D | September 11, 2025 |
Polling
Amy Klobuchar vs. Lisa Demuth
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Amy Klobuchar (DFL) |
Lisa Demuth (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Star Tribune[100] | June 8–10, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 40% | 12% |
| Emerson College[101] | February 6–8, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 51% | 38% | 11% |
| SurveyUSA[102][C] | January 27–30, 2026 | 575 (RV) | ± 4.8% | 49% | 34% | 17% |
Amy Klobuchar vs. Mike Lindell
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Amy Klobuchar (DFL) |
Mike Lindell (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Star Tribune[100] | June 8–10, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 53% | 36% | 11% |
| Emerson College[101] | February 6–8, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 53% | 31% | 16% |
| SurveyUSA[102][C] | January 27–30, 2026 | 575 (RV) | ± 4.8% | 52% | 32% | 16% |
Amy Klobuchar vs. Kendall Qualls
Hypothetical polling
Amy Klobuchar vs. Peggy Bennett
Amy Klobuchar vs. Scott Jensen
Amy Klobuchar vs. Jeff Johnson
Amy Klobuchar vs. Patrick Knight
Amy Klobuchar vs. Brad Kohler as a Republican
Amy Klobuchar vs. Phil Parrish
Amy Klobuchar vs. Kristin Robbins
Tim Walz vs. Scott Jensen
Tim Walz vs. Phil Parrish
Tim Walz vs. Kendall Qualls
Tim Walz vs. Kristin Robbins
Tim Walz vs. Generic Republican
See also
Notes
- No relation to previous gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson.
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Patrick Knight with 4%; Peggy Bennett with 3%; Phil Parrish and John Krhin with 2%; Raul Estrad with 1%
- "Someone else" with 2%; Peggy Bennett, Thomas Evanstad, Jeff Johnson, Brad Kohler, and Phil Parrish with 1%; Patrick Knight with 0%
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by Lindell's campaign
- Poll sponsored by Michele Tafoya's campaign for U.S. Senate
- Poll sponsored by Alpha News