Minnesota’s Democratic and Republican nominees for governor advanced on August 11, 2026, when U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar won the DFL primary and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth captured the GOP race, setting up a general election matchup between an establishment Democrat and a Republican who defied Trump’s backing.
Klobuchar secured the Democratic-Farmer-Labor nomination with 91.3% of the vote, consolidating party support after outgoing Governor Tim Walz dropped his reelection bid in January 2026. The senator, who has represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2007 and is the state’s first female senator, entered the race shortly after Walz’s withdrawal and quickly became the party’s overwhelming favorite.
Walz ended his bid for a third term citing the need to focus on addressing a welfare fraud investigation and other state challenges rather than campaign activities. His exit opened the field for Klobuchar, who brought significant name recognition and fundraising power to the race, raising $9.3 million and carrying approximately $4.5 million in cash on hand heading into primary day.
On the Republican side, Demuth won a more contested primary with 46.4% of the vote, defeating MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who finished second with 30.9%, and businessman Kendall Qualls, who came in third with 20.2%. Demuth made history in February 2025 when she became the first Black person and first female Republican to serve as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The GOP race tested former President Donald Trump’s political influence in Minnesota. Trump had endorsed Lindell, but Demuth’s legislative experience and establishment backing proved decisive with voters. The result contrasts sharply with the 2022 Minnesota Republican primary, when Scott Jensen won with 89.31% of the vote in an uncontested race, reflecting the more crowded and competitive nature of this year’s contest.
The general election on November 3, 2026, will pit Klobuchar against Demuth in what is expected to remain competitive. Klobuchar has emphasized her Senate record and legislative accomplishments, while Demuth has focused her campaign messaging on economic priorities and tax cuts for families. The race will determine who succeeds Walz in Minnesota’s executive office.
Sources
- ECIKS.org — Reporting on Klobuchar’s DFL primary win, her campaign fundraising, and Walz’s January 2026 withdrawal from the race
- ECIKS.org — Demuth’s GOP primary victory with 46.4% of the vote, Lindell’s 30.9%, and Qualls’s 20.2%; Demuth’s role as first Black female Republican House Speaker; 2022 primary comparison
- KNSI Radio — AP call of Klobuchar’s DFL primary victory
- KTTC — Confirmation of Klobuchar’s Democratic primary win with a large majority
