The 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Minnesota. Primary elections are scheduled for August 11, 2026. Incumbent two-term Democratic (DFL) governor Tim Walz initially ran for a third term in office, but ended his re-election campaign in January 2026. On January 29, 2026, Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar announced she was entering the race.
DemocraticâÂÂFarmerâÂÂLabor primary
Candidates
Declared
- Bill Gates Jr., former pastor
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator (2007âÂÂpresent)
- Kobey Layne, community organizer
Filed paperwork
- Rick DeVoe, bookstore owner and candidate for MN-01 in 2022
- Christopher Seymore
- Paul Ference
Potential
Withdrawn
Declined
Endorsements
Caucus vote
On February 3, 2026, Minnesota DFLers held their party caucus. Amy Klobuchar won the party's straw poll for governor with approximately 72% of the vote.
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Peggy Bennett, state representative from district 23A (2015âÂÂpresent)
- Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025âÂÂpresent) from district 13A (2019âÂÂpresent)
- Running mate: Ryan Wilson, attorney and candidate for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022
- Patrick Knight, food company CEO
- Brad Kohler, retired mixed martial arts fighter
- John Krhin, pastor
- Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of My Pillow and candidate for RNC chair in 2023
- Phil Parrish, retired Naval intelligence officer, teacher, and school administrator
- Kendall Qualls, healthcare technology executive, nominee for in 2020, and candidate for governor in 2022
- Running mate: Brian Nicholson, construction firm chief executive
- Kristin Robbins, state representative from district 37A (2019âÂÂpresent)
- Raul Estrada, activist
Filed paperwork
- Ross Nova, YouTuber
- Lee Albert Wickboldt
Withdrawn
Declined
Endorsements
Polling
Caucus vote
On February 3, 2026, Minnesota Republicans held their party caucus. Lisa Demuth won the party's straw poll for governor with approximately 32% of the vote.
Results
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Steve Patterson, Grassroots-LC nominee for governor in 2022
- Calvin Larson Jr., labor union leader
- Zac Harding
Publicly expressed interest
Withdrawn
- Mike Newcome, entrepreneur and business consultant
Endorsements
General election
Predictions
Polling
Amy Klobuchar vs. Peggy Bennett
Amy Klobuchar vs. Lisa Demuth
Amy Klobuchar vs. Patrick Knight
Amy Klobuchar vs. Brad Kohler
Amy Klobuchar vs. Mike Lindell
Amy Klobuchar vs. Phil Parrish
Amy Klobuchar vs. Kendall Qualls
Amy Klobuchar vs. Kristin Robbins
Amy Klobuchar vs. Scott Jensen
Amy Klobuchar vs. Jeff Johnson
Tim Walz vs. Scott Jensen
Tim Walz vs. Phil Parrish
Tim Walz vs. Kendall Qualls
Tim Walz vs. Kristin Robbins
Tim Walz vs. Generic Republican
See also
Notes
Partisan clients<br />
References
External links
Official campaign websites