Minnesota’s 2026 election season kicks off Tuesday with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican precinct caucuses, local-level party events where participants select convention delegates and consider changes to party platforms.
Besides delegate elections and policy priority discussions, caucus-goers also vote for who they’d like the party to support for governor in a non-binding straw poll, giving an early look at who party organizers might endorse at their conventions this spring.
For the DFL, that might not reveal much — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the only major candidate running for the party’s nomination after Gov. Tim Walz dropped his bid for a third term in January.
Still, there is a competitive Senate nomination contest between Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who are vying for the DFL nod to run for the seat U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is vacating. And with President Donald Trump’s recent immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities, DFL Chair Richard Carlbom said he expects “massive” turnout.
“We’re in the midst of an unprecedented retribution campaign being waged on us by the President of the United States,” he said. People are alarmed at his behavior and his activity in the state, and I think that they’re ultimately understanding that the only way we change course here is by putting a check on him.”
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Republican Party has a crowded field with around a dozen gubernatorial candidates. Walz’s perceived vulnerability on widespread fraud in state government programs drew a large field of GOP candidates. It could also attract wider interest in caucuses than the last gubernatorial election in 2022, said Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash.
“The amount of fraud that has been uncovered and continues to be uncovered — which affects every Minnesotan — it’s real. It’s in their pockets. That is driving people,” he said.
Republicans running for governor in 2026 include House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, 2022 gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen, a doctor who rose to prominence for his criticism of state COVID policy; state Rep. Kristin Robbins; 2022 Republican endorsement contender Kendall Qualls, a former congressional candidate; and businessman Patrick Knight.
Plechash acknowledged that the federal immigration crackdown and resulting protests have taken some steam out of the fraud issue, but called it a temporary setback.
“I’m sure the Democrats are going to pound that drum as hard as they can for as long as they can — it is to their advantage to do that,” he said. “But that really is not talking about things that matter to Minnesotans, that come out of their pocketbooks, in their day-to-day lives.”
There are also several candidates seeking the GOP nomination in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race this year. Former Minnesota GOP chairman and Senate Minority Leader David Hann, ex-Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, former NFL sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya and former NBA player Royce White, have all announced their candidacy.
Besides the U.S. Senate and governor races, all 67 state Senate seats and 134 House seats are on the ballot, as are attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor. Primary elections are on Aug. 11. Election Day is Nov. 3.
How it works
Caucuses for both parties begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The minimum age to participate is 16, though you must be eligible to vote in the November general election to be elected as a delegate.
Minnesota doesn’t have party registration, but the parties ask those who attend their local caucuses to stand with the party’s values. You’re only allowed to participate in one party’s caucuses each year.
Caucuses are typically held at locations like community centers, churches or town halls.
Location details can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website: caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us. There are many individual events scheduled statewide, and more information can be found on party websites.
DFL: dfl.org/caucus/
GOP: mngop.com/
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