Minnesota 2026 Primary Features Contested Senate, Governor and House Races
The June 2026 primary in Minnesota pits moderate and progressive Democrats against each other for a U.S. Senate seat, while Republicans vie for the governorship and other statewide offices.
Minnesota voters are heading to the polls for a June 2026 primary that includes several high-profile contests. In the Democratic Senate primary, U.S. Representative Angie Craig, a moderate from the south suburbs of Minneapolis, faces Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a progressive, for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Tina Smith. The race reflects a broader intra-party battle between the party’s left and center wings.
On the Republican side, former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya is the frontrunner in the Senate primary, competing against former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze. The winner will challenge the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat.
Senator Amy Klobuchar is widely expected to secure the Democratic nomination for governor, a race opened by Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek a third term after a scandal involving alleged fraud in state programs. The Republican gubernatorial field includes former Trump-endorsed candidate Mike Lindell, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, and entrepreneur Kendall Qualls.
In the U.S. House, Representative Ilhan Omar, a progressive incumbent from Minneapolis, faces multiple primary challengers but is favored to win. A crowded Democratic primary will also determine the successor to Representative Angie Craig, who is running for Senate; no clear front-runner has emerged.
State legislative contests cover all 67 Senate districts and numerous House districts, with incumbents and challengers listed on the ballot. Additional statewide races for auditor, secretary of state and a seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court are also on the ballot.