Minnesota DFL and GOP Endorse 2026 Candidates

(KNSI) — Both the Minnesota DFL and GOP held their endorsing conventions over the weekend, with Senator Amy Klobuchar and healthcare executive Kendall Qualls receiving their party’s nods for governor.

At the GOP convention, House Speaker and Cold Spring Representative Lisa Demuth took an early lead, but after ten rounds of balloting delayed by technical glitches, it was Qualls who won out. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell says he will still run in the primary.

Klobuchar and her running mate, former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer, seemed to be a shoo-in for the Democrats. Another candidate, Kobey Layne, was put forward as a challenger, but Klobuchar won with nearly 68% of the vote. Klobuchar has been in the U.S. Senate since 2006. She is the former Hennepin County Attorney.

For the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tina Smith, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the DFL endorsement, but Congresswoman Angie Craig will still run in the primary despite skipping the convention. For the GOP, former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze won the endorsement, but Michele Tafoya is expected to challenge him in the primary.

Attorney General Keith Ellison won the DFL endorsement for another term. He will be challenged in the general election by Republican Ron Schutz. Schutz is an Army veteran, a former trial lawyer, and former chair of the Center for the American Experiment.

Secretary of State Steve Simon is running for another term and handily secured the endorsement. He will face off against Tad Jude. Jude is a former state representative and state senator.

St. Cloud area Representative Dan Wolgamott fell short in his bid for endorsement for State Auditor. The endorsement went to Zack Filipovich. He is a former Duluth City Councilman and works as a finance manager for a community and economic development consulting firm. Braham Mayor Nate George earned the GOP endorsement. He works for the Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authority as the Director of Licensing and Investigations for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

The primary election is set for August 11th with the general election November 3rd.

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