2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
 
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Incumbent Governor

Tim Walz
Democratic (DFL)


The 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Minnesota. Primary elections are scheduled for August 11, 2026.[1] Incumbent two-term Democratic Governor Tim Walz ran for reelection to a third term at first but announced in January 2026 that he would not run because of the media coverage about the 2020s Minnesota fraud scandals.[2]

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Withdrawn

Declined

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Notes

  1. ↑ No relation to previous gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson.

References

  1. ↑ "Elections Calendar". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  2. ↑ Van Oot, Torey (January 5, 2026). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops reelection bid". Axios. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  4. ↑ Siegel, Benjamin; Oppenheim, Oren (January 29, 2026). "Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor amid immigration turmoil". ABC News. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Olson, Blois (2026-01-05). "morning take | Walz Won't Run". The Daily Agenda. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  6. ↑ Turtinen, Melissa (2026-01-05). "Gov. Tim Walz will not seek reelection in Minnesota". FOX 9. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
  7. ↑ Oot, Torey Van (2026-01-05). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ends campaign for reelection". Axios. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
  8. ↑ Schoch, Al; Peterson, Lindsey (August 22, 2025). "Who won't be in the mix if Gov. Tim Walz doesn't run for re-election? Rep. Angie Craig says she's staying in Senate race". WCCO-TV.
  9. ↑ "Ellison gives statement on re-election run". KAAL. January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ Wernus, Katie. "Minnesota governor's race: Potential Democratic contenders after Walz's exit". Fox 9. Fox 9. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  11. ↑ Cummings, Caroline (November 29, 2024). "Rep. Dean Phillips: Dem primary would've 'elevated a candidate better positioned to win' presidency". CBS News. Retrieved December 10, 2024. He ruled out a bid for the U.S. Senate or for the governor's office in 2026
  12. ↑ Van Oot, Torey (January 5, 2026). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops reelection bid". Axios. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  13. ↑ Kite, Allison; Faircloth, Ryan; Minor, Nathaniel (January 5, 2026). "Sen. Amy Klobuchar may run for governor". Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  14. ↑ Nir, David (2026-01-06). "Morning Digest: After Walz calls it quits, a heavyweight replacement looms". The Downballot. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  15. ↑ "State Rep. Peggy Bennett joins MN Governor race". KAAL. January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ Cummings, Caroline (November 2, 2025). "Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth jumps in the governor's race to challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz". CBS News. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  17. ↑ Brown, Kyle (July 17, 2025). "Republican Scott Jensen announces another run for Minnesota governor". KSTP-TV. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ Lewerenz, Jennifer (March 19, 2025). "Former St. Cloud City Councilman Announces Run for Governor". KNSI. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  19. ↑ Brown, Kyle (November 6, 2025). "Food executive Patrick Knight announces run for governor". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  20. ↑ Pioneer Staff Report (May 13, 2025). "Minnesota Governor candidate Brad Kohler presents at Beltrami County GOP meeting". The Bemidji Pioneer. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  21. ↑ lauren.viska@apgsomn.com, LAUREN VISKA (December 15, 2025). "Governor forum hones in on fraud, test scores". Southernminn.com. Retrieved December 17, 2025. Sitting from left to right at the Steele County Republican Governor forum, businessman and Divine Mercy Catholic Church Executive Administrator Phillip Parrish, former Hennepin County commissioner Jeff Johnson, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman and former UFC fighter Brad Kohler, Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, physician and entrepreneur Kendall Qualls, former state lawmaker Patrick Knight, former state senator Scott Jensen and former ordained minister John Krhin.
  22. ↑ "MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announces a campaign for Minnesota governor". NBC News. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  23. ↑ Skluzacek, Josh (December 1, 2025). "Attorney Chris Madel enters race for Minnesota governor". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  24. ↑ Spewak, Danny (May 14, 2025). "Kendall Qualls planning run for GOP nomination in 2026 Minnesota governor race". KARE. Retrieved June 2, 2025. Another candidate, U.S. Navy veteran Phillip Parrish, wrote that he is 'running as a Republican but reject the divisive tactics of partisan elites.'
  25. ↑ Cox, Peter (May 8, 2025). "Kendall Qualls enters 2026 Minnesota governor's race as a GOP nomination contender". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins announces run for Minnesota governor". MPR News. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Julia Coleman won't run for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat but could for governor". Bring Me The News. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  28. ↑ Faircloth, Ryan (August 9, 2025). "Minnesota hasn't elected a GOP governor in almost 20 years. Can Republicans break the streak?". Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  29. ↑ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 8, 2025). "Morning Digest: A senior House Democrat lands a primary challenger after health scares". The Downballot. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Faircloth, Ryan (February 12, 2025). "A look at who might run for Minnesota governor in 2026 — and who's ruled it out". Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025. Two of Minnesota's most prominent Republicans, U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber, both said they will not run for governor next year.
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