2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

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 eligible to run for re-election to a third term in office but has not stated whether he will do so.

2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic (DFL) Republican

Incumbent Governor Tim Walz Democratic (DFL)

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

Publicly expressed interest

• Tim Walz, incumbent governor (2019–present) (decision expected in September)^[2]

Potential

• Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul (2018–present) (if Walz doesn't run)^[3]
• Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota (2019–present) (if Walz doesn't run)^[3]
• Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator (2007–present) (if Walz doesn't run)^[3]
• Erin Murphy, majority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2024–present) from the 64th district (2021–present) and candidate for governor in 2018 (if Walz doesn't run)^[3]
• Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State (2015–present) (if Walz doesn't run)^[4]

Declined

• Angie Craig, U.S. Representative from the Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate)^[5]
• Peggy Flanagan, Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate)^[6]
• Dean Phillips, former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024^[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Scott Jensen, former state senator from the 47th district (2017–2021) and nominee for governor in 2022^[8]
• Jeff Johnson, former St. Cloud city councilor (2010–2018) (no relation to previous gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson)^[9]
• Brad Kohler, retired mixed martial arts fighter^[10]
• Phil Parrish, teacher and perennial candidate^[11]
• Kendall Qualls, healthcare technology executive, nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2020, and candidate for governor in 2022^[12]
• Kristin Robbins, state representative from district 37A (2019–present)^[13]

Publicly expressed interest

• Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman^[14]
• David Hann, former chair of the Minnesota Republican Party (2021–2025) and former minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2013–2017)^[15]
• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and candidate for RNC chair in 2023^[16]

Potential

• Lisa Demuth, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present)^[17]
• Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan^[17]
• Jim Nash, state representative from district 48A (2015–present)^[17]

Declined

• Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) (running for re-election)^[18]
• Tom Emmer, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010^[19]
• Pete Stauber, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present)^[19]

Endorsements

Tom Emmer (declined)

U.S. presidents

• Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)^[20]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[21]	Likely D	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections[22]	Likely D	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[23]	Likely D	May 1, 2025
Race to the WH[24]	Likely D	June 30, 2025

See also

• 2026 Minnesota elections
• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. Via a constitutional referendum in 1958.^[1]