U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar won Minnesota’s Democratic primary for governor with 89% of the vote, defeating six other candidates in the race to succeed Governor Tim Walz, according to results from the August 11, 2026 primary election.
Klobuchar entered the race in late January 2026, just weeks after Walz announced he would not seek a third term. Her decisive primary victory signals strong party support as she prepares for the November 3 general election against Republican Lisa Demuth, Minnesota House Speaker.
Klobuchar’s path to the gubernatorial race began when Walz dropped out in early January 2026 amid criticism over his handling of a fraud scandal in the state. The senator, who had served Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2007, quickly consolidated Democratic support behind her candidacy. She secured the party’s endorsement at the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor convention in June 2026, winning approximately 72% of the delegate vote at that gathering.
Before her Senate career, Klobuchar served as Hennepin County attorney from 1999 to 2007, leading Minnesota’s largest prosecutor’s office. She has been elected to the Senate four times, including a landslide reelection in 2012 when she won 85 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
The general election in November will pit Klobuchar against Demuth, who won the Republican primary on the same day. Recent polling has shown multiple matchups between the two candidates, with Klobuchar entering the general election as a heavily favored candidate. Her campaign has focused on lowering costs for Minnesota families, rooting out fraud in state government, and auditing state agencies.
Sources
- CBS News Minnesota — Klobuchar’s 89% primary vote share and defeat of six other Democratic candidates
- Washington Post — Klobuchar’s Democratic primary win and Demuth’s Republican primary victory
- NPR — Demuth’s GOP primary win and the general election matchup
- The Guardian — Klobuchar’s announcement in late January 2026, weeks after Walz dropped out
- Wikipedia — Klobuchar’s Senate service since 2007 and 2012 landslide reelection
- PBS NewsHour — Klobuchar’s announcement of her gubernatorial campaign
- Ballotpedia — DFL convention endorsement vote in June 2026
