2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

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. Incumbent two-term Democratic Governor Tim Walz is running for re-election to a third term in office.^[1]

Since the adoption of four-year terms in 1962,^[a] no Minnesota governor has been elected to a third term.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

• Tim Walz, incumbent governor (2019–present)^[1]

Declined

• Angie Craig, U.S. Representative from the Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate)^[3]
• Dean Phillips, former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024^[4]

Endorsements

Tim Walz

Organizations

• Democratic Governors Association^[5]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Scott Jensen, former state senator from the 47th district (2017–2021) and nominee for governor in 2022^[6]
• Jeff Johnson, former St. Cloud city councilor (2010–2018) (no relation to previous gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson)^[7]
• Brad Kohler, retired mixed martial arts fighter^[8]
• Phil Parrish, teacher and perennial candidate^[9]
• Kendall Qualls, healthcare technology executive, nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2020, and candidate for governor in 2022^[10]
• Kristin Robbins, state representative from district 37A (2019–present)^[11]

Publicly expressed interest

• Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman^[12]
• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and candidate for RNC chair in 2023^[13]

Potential

• Lisa Demuth, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present)^[14]
• Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan^[14]
• Jim Nash, state representative from district 48A (2015–present)^[14]

Declined

• Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) (running for re-election)^[15]
• Tom Emmer, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010^[16]
• Pete Stauber, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present)^[16]

Endorsements

Tom Emmer (declined)

U.S. presidents

• Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)^[17]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[18]	Likely D	September 11, 2025
Inside Elections[19]	Likely D	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Likely D	September 4, 2025
Race to the WH[21]	Likely D	September 16, 2025

Polling

Tim Walz vs. Kendall Qualls

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (D)	Kendall Qualls (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[22][A]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	50%	37%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Kristin Robbins

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (D)	Kristin Robbins (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[22][A]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	47%	40%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Phil Parrish

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (D)	Phil Parrish (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[22][A]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	49%	38%	13%

Tim Walz vs. Scott Jensen

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (D)	Scott Jensen (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[22][A]	September 15–18, 2025	568 (LV)	± 4.8%	46%	41%	13%

See also

• 2026 Minnesota elections
• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. Via a constitutional referendum in 1958.^[2]
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by KSTP-TV

References

1. Ferguson, Dana (September 16, 2025). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will pursue 3rd term, could face tough fight to keep job". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
2. "1957 Session Laws". Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. Democratic Governors Association. "DGA Chair Laura Kelly Statement on Governor Tim Walz Running for Reelection". Democratic Governor Association. Democratic Governors Association. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
6. Brown, Kyle (July 17, 2025). "Republican Scott Jensen announces another run for Minnesota governor". KSTP-TV. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
7. Lewerenz, Jennifer (March 19, 2025). "Former St. Cloud City Councilman Announces Run for Governor". KNSI. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
8. Pioneer Staff Report (May 13, 2025). "Minnesota Governor candidate Brad Kohler presents at Beltrami County GOP meeting". The Bemidji Pioneer. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
9. 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.'
10. 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.
11. "Republican state Rep. Kristin Robbins announces run for Minnesota governor". MPR News. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
12. "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.
13. Svirnovskiy, Gregory (March 31, 2025). "Lindell teases run for Minnesota governor". Politico. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Bergey, Brock (July 4, 2025). "DIGGING DEEPER: Trump's shout-out to Congressman Emmer during bill signing event". KTTC. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
18. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
19. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
20. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
21. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
22. Hauser, Tom; Brown, Kyle (September 19, 2025). "KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Walz has net approval of zero as he begins campaign for 3rd term". KSTP-TV. Retrieved September 20, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Scott Jensen (R) for Governor
• Jeff Johnson (R) for Governor
• Brad Kohler (R) for Governor
• Phil Parrish (R) for Governor
• Kendall Qualls (R) for Governor
• Kristin Robbins (R) for Governor
• Tim Walz (D) for Governor