Minnesota voters pick new governor and senator on Nov. 3
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The gist
Minnesota holds its general election Nov. 3, with all 134 House and 67 Senate seats on the ballot.
Democrats hold a 34-33 Senate edge, so a single seat could tip control.
Background
Minnesota voters will elect a new governor and a new U.S. senator after retirement announcements by two prominent Democrats reshuffled the ballot, according to MPR News. In the Senate race, DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster. Democrats enter with a 34-33 state Senate majority, and the state House ended its session tied 67-67, so a single seat changing hands could matter enormously. Republicans have not won a statewide contest in Minnesota since Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 2006 reelection, and the last Republican U.S. Senate win there was Norm Coleman in 2002.
How it unfolded
- 2025DFL Sen. Tina Smith announced she would not seek a second full term, leaving the U.S. Senate seat open.
- Jan 27, 2026Special elections were called for Minnesota House Districts 64A and 47A, vacated after Kaohly Her was elected mayor of St. Paul and Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger was elected to the state Senate.
- Aug 11, 2026Peggy Flanagan defeated Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary, 59 percent to 39 percent.
- Aug 11, 2026Michele Tafoya defeated eight Republican primary rivals, including former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who had the state party's endorsement.
- Oct 13, 2026Trump endorsed Michele Tafoya for the general election after backing no candidate in the primary.
- Oct 16, 2026Flanagan and Tafoya met in their only scheduled debate, at Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul.
- Nov 3, 2026General election: voters choose a new governor and senator, with all 67 state Senate and 134 state House seats, plus attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, U.S. House races and a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Polls close at 8 p.m., and voters in line before then can stay in line to vote.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- MPR News reports the ballot was reshuffled after retirement announcements by two prominent Democrats, leaving both the governor's and Senate seats open.
- Party
- Attorney General Keith Ellison, a two-term DFL incumbent, is campaigning on consumer protection, affordability and opposition to the Trump administration, per Sahan Journal.
- Party
- Republican attorney general candidate Ron Schutz is emphasizing fighting fraud and crime and working on consumer protection, per Sahan Journal.
- Party
- Secretary of state candidates split on election rules: DFL incumbent Simon backs existing laws with same-day registration and no voter ID requirement, while Republican Jude wants voters to show ID and is campaigning to restore the former state flag.