The 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Minnesota. Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican state House speaker Lisa Demuth are the nominees for their respective parties.

Democratic incumbent Tim Walz ran for a third term, but withdrew in January following a scandal over fraud in state funded-social services. Following Walz's withdrawal, Klobuchar entered the Democratic primary and won the nomination with 89.7% of the vote against minimal opposition. In the Republican primary, Demuth defeated businessman Mike Lindell, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and healthcare technology executive Kendall Qualls, who was endorsed by the state party, with 43.4% of the vote.

The winner of this election will be the first female governor of Minnesota. Republicans have not won a gubernatorial election in Minnesota since 2006.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary After Walz announced his withdrawal from the race, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar launched a campaign for the governor's office on January 29, 2026. Six other Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidates filed, none of whom have previously held elected office. Community organizer Kobey Layne challenged Klobuchar for the DFL's endorsement on May 30, 2026, but Klobuchar was endorsed on the first ballot alongside her running mate, Ben Schierer.

Candidates Nominee Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator (2007–present) Running mate: Ben Schierer, former mayor of Fergus Falls (2017–2025)

Eliminated in primary Tom Evenstad, public safety specialist Running mate: Jason Haarsager Bill Gates Jr., former pastor (no relation to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates) Running mate: Leah Harris Kobey Layne, community organizer Running mate: Paul Ference Po Vang Running mate: Mark Frascone Ole "Viking" Savior, perennial candidate Running mate: Ashley "Skol" Johnson Mohammad Wazwaz Running mate: Murad Alshool

Not on ballot Sam Opal Boman Christopher Seymore

Withdrawn Rick DeVoe, bookstore owner and candidate for MN-01 in 2022 Paul Ference (ran for lieutenant governor with Kobey Layne) Tim Walz, incumbent governor (2019–present)

Declined Angie Craig, U.S. representative from (2019–present) (ran for U.S. Senate, endorsed Klobuchar) Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for reelection) Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Klobuchar) Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024 Steve Simon, secretary of state of Minnesota (2015–present) (running for reelection) Tina Smith, U.S. senator (2018–present)

Endorsements

Fundraising Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.

Campaign finance reports as of May 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handPaul Ference (DFL)$6,530$3,543$2,986Bill Gates, Jr. (DFL)$884$884$0Amy Klobuchar (DFL)$7,045,318$3,185,636$3,859,683Kobey Layne (DFL)$4,618$3,043$1,574Po Vang (DFL)$749$749$0Christopher Seymore (DFL)$50$0$50Tim Walz (DFL)$169,091$922,312$3,138,504Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board

Caucus vote On February 3, 2026, Minnesota DFLers held their party caucus. Klobuchar won the party's straw poll for governor with approximately 72% of the vote.

Results

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present) Running mate: Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for state auditor in 2022

Eliminated in primary Loner Blue, perennial candidate Running mate: Andrew Maass Raul Estrada, construction worker and organizer with the American Indian Coalition Running mate: Joe Kincaid John Krhin, pastor Running mate: Dennis Conn Mike Lindell, founder and former CEO of My Pillow and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 Running mate: Phillip Parrish, retired Naval intelligence officer, teacher, and school administrator Ross Nova Running mate: Kerry Busby Kendall Qualls, healthcare technology executive, nominee for in 2020, and candidate for governor in 2022 Running mate: Brian Nicholson, construction firm chief executive

Not on ballot Patrick Knight, food company CEO

Withdrawn Peggy Bennett, state representative from district 23A (2015–present) (withdrew after her running mate dropped out) Scott Jensen, former state senator from the 47th district (2017–2021) and nominee for governor in 2022 (running for state auditor) Jeff Johnson, former St. Cloud city councilor (2010–2018) Chris Madel, attorney Phillip Parrish, retired Naval intelligence officer, teacher, and school administrator (running for lieutenant governor as Mike Lindell's running mate) Kristin Robbins, state representative from district 37A (2019–present) Lee Albert Wickboldt

Declined Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) (running for reelection) Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010 Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from (2019–present)

Endorsements

Fundraising Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate Campaign finance reports as of May 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handLisa Demuth (R)$360,892$286,293$517,679Raul Estrada (R)$4,765$4,854$20John Krhin (R)$58,266$52,722$2,044Mike Lindell (R)$648,960$717,491$11,704Ross Nova (R)$6,000$3,048$2,952Kendall Qualls (R)$211,305$294,731$34,189Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board

Polling

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin LisaDemuth ScottJensen MikeLindell KendallQualls KristinRobbins Other UndecidedKTSP/SurveyUSAJuly 29–August 4, 2026458 (LV)±5.6%28% –34%17% –6%16%SurveyUSAJuly 15–20, 2026478 (LV)± 5.4%26%–35%11%–5%22%Big Data Poll (R)June 26–29, 20261,214 (LV)± 2.8%20%–25%10%–11%34%Minnesota Private Business Council (R)June 23–25, 20261,601 (LV)± 2.5%29%–20%24%–1%26%34%–24%28%––14%SurveyUSAJune 11–16, 2026450 (LV)± 5.4%22%–27%17%–10%24%Big Data Poll (R)May 18–20, 2026512 (LV)–19%–21%9%–12%39% May 1, 2026Robbins withdraws from the race February 9, 2026Jensen withdraws from the racePeak Insights (R)January 31 – February 1, 2026500 (LV)± 4.0%17%12%18%11%3%7%32%

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

Results

Debates + 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election Republican primary debates Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Peggy Bennett Lisa Demuth Raul Estrada Scott Jensen Jeff Johnson Patrick Knight Brad Kohler Mike Lindell Chris Madell Phil Parrish Kendall Qualls1 Jan. 15, 2026 Scott County Republican Party Bill Lieske YouTube 2 Mar. 11, 2026 Second Congressional District Republicans Tayler Rahm YouTube 3 May 21, 2026 KTTCRepublican Party of Olmsted County YouTube

Results

Independents and others Candidates

Declared Steve Young, member of the Minneapolis Food Council, attorney, and veteran (Green) Running mate: Jane Kirby, retired midwife and animal rights activist

Not on ballot

Tom Berhane Zac Harding Adam Kedrowski Brad Kohler, retired mixed martial arts fighter (previously registered as a Republican) Steve Patterson, Grassroots-LC nominee for governor in 2022

Withdrawn Calvin Larson Jr., labor union leader (running for State Senate District 2) Mike Newcome, entrepreneur and business consultant

Endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on HandSteve Young (G)$1,586$369$1,218Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportOctober 1, 2026Decision Desk HQSeptember 23, 2026Fox NewsAugust 18, 2026RealClearPoliticsSeptember 22, 2026Inside ElectionsSeptember 3, 2025Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 29, 2026Silver Bulletin August 25, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

Polling

Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregation Datesadministered DatesupdatedAmyKlobuchar (DFL)LisaDemuth (R)Other/Undecided MarginRace to the WHthrough September 15, 2026September 15, 202649.3%40.5%10.2%Klobuchar +8.8%RealClearPoliticsFebruary 6 – September 15, 2026September 15, 202649.4%39.8%10.8%Klobuchar +9.6%Silver BulletinJune 8 – September 2, 2026September 15, 202651.5%37.6%10.9%Klobuchar +13.9%Average50.1%39.3%10.6%Klobuchar +10.8%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) LisaDemuth (R) Other Undecidedco/efficient (R)September 14–15, 2026833 (LV)±3.4%47%45%–9%KSTP/SurveyUSASeptember 9–14, 2026654 (LV)±4.4%47%40%3%9%TIPP InsightsAugust 31 – September 2, 20261,494 (RV)± 2.7%47%37%8%9%1,201 (LV)± 3.0%50%40%6%4%KTSP/SurveyUSAAugust 13–17, 2026661 (LV)±4.3%51%36%1%12%August 11, 2026 Primary elections are heldMason-Dixon Polling & StrategyJune 8–10, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%48%40%–12%Emerson CollegeFebruary 6–8, 20261,000 (LV)± 3.0%51%38%5%6%SurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%49%34%–17%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Peggy Bennett Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) PeggyBennett (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%50%30%20%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Scott Jensen Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) ScottJensen (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%49%35%16%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Jeff Johnson Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) JeffJohnson (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%50%33%17%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Patrick Knight Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) PatrickKnight (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%49%33%18%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Brad Kohler as a Republican Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) BradKohler (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%49%32%19%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Mike Lindell Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) MikeLindell (R) UndecidedMason-Dixon Polling & StrategyJune 8–10, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%53%36%11%Emerson CollegeFebruary 6–8, 20261,000 (LV)± 3.0%53%31%16%SurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%52%32%16%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Phil Parrish Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) PhilParrish (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%49%32%19%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Kendall Qualls Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) KendallQualls (R) UndecidedMason-Dixon Polling & StrategyJune 8–10, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%48%37%14%SurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%49%33%18%

Amy Klobuchar vs. Kristin Robbins Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AmyKlobuchar (DFL) KristinRobbins (R) UndecidedSurveyUSAJanuary 27–30, 2026575 (RV)± 4.8%48%33%19%

Tim Walz vs. Scott Jensen Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TimWalz (DFL) ScottJensen (R) UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 15–18, 2025568 (LV)± 4.8%46%41%13%

Tim Walz vs. Phil Parrish Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TimWalz (DFL) PhilParrish (R) UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 15–18, 2025568 (LV)± 4.8%49%38%13%

Tim Walz vs. Kendall Qualls Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TimWalz (DFL) KendallQualls (R) UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 15–18, 2025568 (LV)± 4.8%50%37%13%

Tim Walz vs. Kristin Robbins Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TimWalz (DFL) KristinRobbins (R) UndecidedSurveyUSASeptember 15–18, 2025568 (LV)± 4.8%47%40%13%

Tim Walz vs. Generic Republican Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TimWalz (DFL) GenericRepublican UndecidedRMG ResearchDecember 10–16, 2025800 (RV)± 3.5%40%46%14%

Results

See also