Minnesota voters headed to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 11, for the state’s 2026 primary election, narrowing the fields for governor, U.S. Senate, and congressional races ahead of November’s general election. The results also set up a historic election: Women are now the major-party nominees in both of Minnesota’s highest-profile statewide races.
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Governor: Amy Klobuchar vs. Lisa Demuth
With Gov. Tim Walz not seeking another term, Minnesota will elect a new governor this fall—and for the first time, that governor will be a woman.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar easily secured the DFL nomination, receiving nearly 90% of the vote. Klobuchar has represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2007 and was the first woman elected to the Senate from Minnesota.
On the Republican side, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth emerged from a crowded field, receiving about 43% of the vote. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell finished second with just over 32%. Demuth, who became the first woman to serve as speaker of the Minnesota House, will now face Klobuchar in November.
The matchup guarantees another Minnesota first: The state is among those that have never elected a woman governor.
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U.S. Senate: Peggy Flanagan vs. Michele Tafoya
The race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith also produced two decisive primary victories.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the DFL nomination with about 59% of the vote, defeating U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who received roughly 39%. Flanagan overcame a substantial fundraising disadvantage in one of the state’s most closely watched primary contests.
Her victory comes eight months after Minnesota Monthly spoke with Flanagan about her campaign, upbringing and approach to public service. Asked what she hoped Minnesotans would say about her leadership a decade from now, Flanagan told us: “I hope people say, ‘She was one of us, she knew us, and she fought for us.’”
At the time, she also reflected on what reaching the Senate would mean to her: “If I’m privileged to be the next senator, I hope people understand I’m not going by myself—we’re all going with me.”
On the Republican side, former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya won with about 52% of the vote, defeating former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who received about 24%, along with a larger field of Republican candidates. Tafoya entered the race as a political newcomer after a decades-long career in sports broadcasting.
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All Eyes on November
The results leave Minnesota with an unusual—and historic—November ballot. Klobuchar and Demuth will compete to become Minnesota’s first woman governor, while Flanagan and Tafoya face off for an open U.S. Senate seat.
The primary also marked the beginning of the final stretch toward the Nov. 3 general election, when Minnesota voters will decide those races along with all eight of the state’s U.S. House seats and numerous state and local contests.
For the four women at the top of Minnesota’s two marquee races, the primary is over. The race to November has begun.
