2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic (DFL) Republican

Incumbent Governor Tim Walz Democratic (DFL)

The 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Minnesota. Primary elections are scheduled for August 11, 2026. ^[1] Incumbent two-term Democratic Governor Tim Walz initially ran for a third term in office, but ended his reelection campaign in January 2026. ^[2] On January 29, 2026, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar announced she was entering the race. ^[3]

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

• Bill Gates Jr., former pastor ^[4]
• Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator (2007–present) ^[5]

Filed paperwork

• Kobey Layne, community organizer ^[6]
• Rick DeVoe, bookstore owner, candidate for Minnesota's 1st congressional district in 2022 ^{[7] [8]}

Potential

• Kelly Morrison, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2025–present) ^[9]
• Erin Murphy, majority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2024–present) from the 64th district (2021–present) and candidate for governor in 2018 ^[9]

Withdrawn

• Tim Walz, incumbent governor (2019–present), Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, and former U.S. representative from MN-01 (2007–2019) ^{[10] [11]}

Declined

• Angie Craig, U.S. representative from MN-02 (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Klobuchar) ^[12]
• Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for re-election) ^[13]
• Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Klobuchar) ^[14]
• Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from MN-03 (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024 ^[15]
• Steve Simon, secretary of state of Minnesota (2015–present) (running for re-election) ^{[16] [17]}
• Tina Smith, U.S. senator (2018–present) ^[18]
• Nick Frentz, state senator (2017–present) (running for re–election) ^[19]

Endorsements

Amy Klobuchar

Executive branch officials

• Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025) ^[20]

U.S. senators

• Tim Kaine, Virginia (2013–present) ^[21]

U.S. representatives

• Angie Craig, MN-02 (2019–present) ^[21]
• Dean Phillips, MN-03 (2019-2025) and candidate for President in 2024 ^[22]

Statewide officials

• Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[23]

Organizations

• EMILY's List ^[24]
• Giffords ^[25]

Tim Walz (withdrawn)

Labor unions

• Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council ^[26]

Organizations

• Democratic Governors Association ^[27]
• Planned Parenthood North Central States ^[28]
• VoteVets ^[29]
• Giffords ^[25] (switched endorsement to Klobuchar)

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Peggy Bennett, state representative from district 23A (2015–present) ^[30]
• Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present) ^[31]
  • Ryan Wilson, attorney and candidate for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022 ^[32]
• Patrick Knight, food company CEO ^[33]
• Brad Kohler, retired mixed martial arts fighter ^[34]
• John Krhin, pastor ^[35]
• Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of My Pillow and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 ^[36]
• Phil Parrish, retired Naval intelligence officer, teacher, and school administrator ^[37]
• Kendall Qualls, healthcare technology executive, nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2020, and candidate for governor in 2022 ^[38]
• Kristin Robbins, state representative from district 37A (2019–present) ^[39]
• Raul Estrada, activist ^[40]

Filed paperwork

• Ross Nova, YouTuber ^[41]

Withdrawn

• Scott Jensen, former state senator from the 47th district (2017–2021) and nominee for governor in 2022 (running for state auditor) ^[42]
• Jeff Johnson, former St. Cloud city councilor (2010–2018) ^{[a] [43]}
• Chris Madel, attorney ^[44]

Declined

• Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) (running for re-election) ^[45]
• Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010 ^[46]
• Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present) ^[46]
• Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) ^[47]

Caucus

On February 3, 2026, Minnesota Republicans held their party caucus. ^[48] Lisa Demuth won the party's straw poll for governor with approximately 32% of the vote. ^[49]

Results

Results by reporting unit:

  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%

Hashes indicate a tie

Republican caucus straw poll results

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%

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Lisa Demuth	Scott Jensen	Mike Lindell	Kendall Qualls	Kristin Robbins	Other	Undecided
	February 9, 2026	Jensen and Johnson withdraw from the race
Peak Insights (R) [50] [A]	January 31 – February 1, 2026	500 (LV)	± 4.0%	17%	12%	18%	11%	3%	7% [c]	32%

Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Mike Newcome, entrepreneur and business consultant ^[51]
• Steve Patterson, Grassroots-LC nominee for governor in 2022 ^[52]
• Calvin Larson Jr., labor union leader ^[53]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jesse Ventura, former Governor of Minnesota (1999–2003), actor, and retired professional wrestler ^{[54] [55]}

Endorsements

Mike Newcome (I)

Political parties

• Forward-Independence Party ^[51]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [56]	Likely D	September 11, 2025
Inside Elections [57]	Likely D	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [58]	Likely D	September 4, 2025
Race to the WH [59]	Likely D	January 22, 2026

Polling

Amy Klobuchar vs. Peggy Bennett

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Peggy Bennett (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	50%	30%	20%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Lisa Demuth

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Lisa Demuth (R)	Undecided
Emerson College [61]	February 6–8, 2026	1,000 (LV)	± 3.0%	51%	38%	11%
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	49%	34%	17%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Patrick Knight

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Patrick Knight (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	49%	33%	18%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Brad Kohler

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Brad Kohler (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	49%	32%	19%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Mike Lindell

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Mike Lindell (R)	Undecided
Emerson College [61]	February 6–8, 2026	1,000 (LV)	± 3.0%	53%	31%	16%
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	52%	32%	16%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Phil Parrish

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Phil Parrish (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	49%	32%	19%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Kendall Qualls

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Kendall Qualls (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	49%	33%	18%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Kristin Robbins

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Kristin Robbins (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	48%	33%	19%

Hypothetical polling

Amy Klobuchar vs. Scott Jensen

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Scott Jensen (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	49%	35%	16%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Jeff Johnson

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Amy Klobuchar (DFL)	Jeff Johnson (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [60] [B]	January 27–30, 2026	575 (RV)	± 4.8%	50%	33%	17%

Tim Walz vs. Scott Jensen

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Scott Jensen (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [62] [B]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	46%	41%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Phil Parrish

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Phil Parrish (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [62] [B]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	49%	38%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Kendall Qualls

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Kendall Qualls (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [62] [B]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	50%	37%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Kristin Robbins

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Kristin Robbins (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA [62] [B]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	47%	40%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Generic Republican	Undecided
RMG Research [63] [C]	December 10–16, 2025	800 (RV)	± 3.5%	40%	46%	14%

See also

• 2026 Minnesota elections
• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. No relation to previous gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson.
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
3. "Someone else" with 2%; Peggy Bennett, Thomas Evanstad, Jeff Johnson, Brad Kohler, and Phil Parrish with 1%; Patrick Knight with 0%

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by Michele Tafoya's campaign for U.S. Senate
2. Poll sponsored by KSTP-TV
3. Poll sponsored by Alpha News

References

1. "Elections Calendar". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
2. Van Oot, Torey (January 5, 2026). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops reelection bid". Axios . Retrieved January 5, 2026.
3. Siegel, Benjamin; Oppenheim, Oren (January 29, 2026). "Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor amid immigration turmoil". ABC News . Retrieved January 29, 2026.
4. "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
5. Siegel, Benjamin; Oppenheim, Oren (January 29, 2026). "Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor amid immigration turmoil". ABC News . Retrieved January 29, 2026.
6. "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov. January 28, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
7. "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
8. article, John Molseed Share Share this (May 2, 2022). "1st Congressional District race gets less crowded on DFL side". Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
9. Olson, Blois (January 5, 2026). "morning take | Walz Won't Run". The Daily Agenda. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
10. Turtinen, Melissa (January 5, 2026). "Gov. Tim Walz will not seek reelection in Minnesota". FOX 9. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
11. Oot, Torey Van (January 5, 2026). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ends campaign for reelection". Axios. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
12. Schoch, Al; Peterson, Lindsey (August 22, 2025). "Who won't be in the mix if Gov. Tim Walz doesn't run for re-election? Rep. Angie Craig says she's staying in Senate race". WCCO-TV .
13. "Ellison gives statement on re-election run". KAAL . January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
14. Wernus, Katie (January 5, 2026). "Minnesota governor's race: Potential Democratic contenders after Walz's exit". Fox 9. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
15. Cummings, Caroline (November 29, 2024). "Rep. Dean Phillips: Dem primary would've 'elevated a candidate better positioned to win' presidency". CBS News . Retrieved December 10, 2024. He ruled out a bid for the U.S. Senate or for the governor's office in 2026
16. Van Oot, Torey (January 5, 2026). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops reelection bid". Axios . Retrieved January 5, 2026.
17. Kite, Allison; Faircloth, Ryan; Minor, Nathaniel (January 5, 2026). "Sen. Amy Klobuchar may run for governor". Minnesota Star Tribune . Retrieved January 20, 2026.
18. Nir, David (January 6, 2026). "Morning Digest: After Walz calls it quits, a heavyweight replacement looms". The Downballot. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
19. "Frentz seeks reelection for Senate seat". Mankato Free Press. December 20, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
20. "Buttigieg endorses Klobuchar's Minnesota governor bid after they clashed in 2020 Dem primary". The Hill. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
21. Nitzberg, Alex (January 30, 2026). "Pete Buttigieg, other Democrats endorse Amy Klobuchar for Minnesota governor". Fox News . Retrieved January 30, 2026.
22. Phillips, Dean (January 29, 2026). X.com https://x.com/i/status/2016851354149695499 . Retrieved February 2, 2026. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has my complete and total endorsement for Governor of Minnesota!{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
23. Schweitzer, Erich (January 29, 2026). "Local politicians, other governor candidates react to Klobuchar running for governor". ABC 6 News. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
24. "EMILYs List Endorses Amy Klobuchar in Minnesota Governor's Race". EMILYs List. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
25. "Endorsements". GIFFORDS. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
26. "Endorsement: Tim Walz". SEIU MN on Facebook. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
27. Democratic Governors Association. "DGA Chair Laura Kelly Statement on Governor Tim Walz Running for Reelection". Democratic Governor Association. Democratic Governors Association. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
28. "Endorsement alert!". Planned Parenthood Action. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
29. "Endorsed Candidates". VoteVets. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
30. "State Rep. Peggy Bennett joins MN Governor race". KAAL . January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
31. Cummings, Caroline (November 2, 2025). "Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth jumps in the governor's race to challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz". CBS News . Retrieved November 2, 2025.
32. Griffith, Michelle. "House Speaker Lisa Demuth picks Ryan Wilson as running mate in campaign for governor • Minnesota Reformer". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
33. Brown, Kyle (November 6, 2025). "Food executive Patrick Knight announces run for governor". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
34. Pioneer Staff Report (May 13, 2025). "Minnesota Governor candidate Brad Kohler presents at Beltrami County GOP meeting". The Bemidji Pioneer . Retrieved June 1, 2025.
35. [e-mail], LAUREN VISKA (December 15, 2025). "Governor forum hones in on fraud, test scores". Southernminn.com. Retrieved December 17, 2025. Sitting from left to right at the Steele County Republican Governor forum, businessman and Divine Mercy Catholic Church Executive Administrator Phillip Parrish, former Hennepin County commissioner Jeff Johnson, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman and former UFC fighter Brad Kohler, Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, physician and entrepreneur Kendall Qualls, former state lawmaker Patrick Knight, former state senator Scott Jensen and former ordained minister John Krhin.
36. "MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announces a campaign for Minnesota governor". NBC News. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
37. Spewak, Danny (May 14, 2025). "Kendall Qualls planning run for GOP nomination in 2026 Minnesota governor race". KARE . Retrieved June 2, 2025. Another candidate, U.S. Navy veteran Phillip Parrish, wrote that he is 'running as a Republican but reject the divisive tactics of partisan elites.'
38. Cox, Peter (May 8, 2025). "Kendall Qualls enters 2026 Minnesota governor's race as a GOP nomination contender". Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
39. "Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins announces run for Minnesota governor". MPR News . August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
40. Record, Jeffrey Hage Morrison County (January 17, 2026). "Crowded GOP field takes the stage in Little Falls". hometownsource.com. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
41. "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
42. Morrell, Lydia (February 9, 2026). "Scott Jensen ends bid for Minnesota governor, announces run for state auditor instead". KARE 11. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
43. Morrell, Lydia (February 9, 2026). "Minnesota gubernatorial candidate suspends campaign after daughter dies from stabbing". KARE 11. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
44. Faircloth, Ryan (January 26, 2026). "Chris Madel ends GOP bid for governor, says he can't support federal 'retribution' against Minnesota". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
45. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 8, 2025). "Morning Digest: A senior House Democrat lands a primary challenger after health scares". The Downballot. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
46. Faircloth, Ryan (February 12, 2025). "A look at who might run for Minnesota governor in 2026 — and who's ruled it out". Minnesota Star Tribune . Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025. Two of Minnesota's most prominent Republicans, U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber, both said they will not run for governor next year.
47. Reporter, The; Reported, Or; this?, verified from knowledgeable sources The Trust Project What is (February 14, 2025). "Flanagan, White enter US Senate race in Minnesota; Ellison says he is 'not in or out'". InForum. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
48. Faircloth, Ryan (February 4, 2026). "House Speaker Lisa Demuth poised to win GOP straw poll for governor, Qualls and Lindell trail behind". Archived from the original on February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
49. "Office of the State Of Minnesota Secretary of State". sos.mn.gov. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
50. "MN GOP Primary Voters" (PDF). Peak Insights. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
51. Minor, Nathaniel (November 18, 2025). "Third-party candidate Mike Newcome enters Minnesota governor's race". The Minnesota Star Tribune . Retrieved November 18, 2025.
52. Stolle, Matthew (November 18, 2025). "Austin's Steve Patterson is running for governor again. His running mate? JT Thompson of JT & Gunslingers fame". Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
53. "Districts constitutional offices viewer". cfb.mn.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
54. Dobkin, Rachel (January 9, 2026). "Jesse Ventura calls Trump 'a draft-dodging coward' and hints at another run for Minnesota governor". The Independent . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
55. "Wrestler turned Minnesota governor tears into 'draft dodging coward' Trump over ICE shooting". January 9, 2026.
56. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
57. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
58. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
59. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
60. Hauser, Tom (February 2, 2026). "KSTP/SurveyUSA: Klobuchar leads all GOP candidates by double digits". KSTP-TV . Retrieved February 2, 2026.
61. "Minnesota 2026 Poll: Democrats Lead GOP as Voters Cite Threats to Democracy". Emerson College Polling. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
62. Hauser, Tom; Brown, Kyle (September 19, 2025). "KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Walz has net approval of zero as he begins campaign for 3rd term". KSTP-TV . Retrieved September 20, 2025.
63. Sprinkel, Luke (December 18, 2025). "Alpha News/RMG Research poll finds 57% disapprove of Walz as fraud concerns mount". Alpha News. Retrieved January 3, 2026.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Peggy Bennett (R) for Governor
• Lisa Demuth (R) for Governor
• Thomas Evenstad (R) for Governor
• Bill Gates, Jr. (D) for Governor
• Jeff Johnson (R) for Governor
• Amy Klobuchar (D) for Governor
• Patrick Knight (R) for Governor
• Brad Kohler (R) for Governor
• John Krhin (R) for Governor
• Calvin Larson Jr (I) for Governor
• Mike Lindell (R) for Governor
• Chris Madel (R) for Governor
• Mike Newcome (I) for Governor
• Phil Parrish (R) for Governor
• Steve Patterson (I) for Governor
• Kendall Qualls (R) for Governor
• Kristin Robbins (R) for Governor
• Raul Estrada (R) for Governor