Governor 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Website: LisaforMN.com

Party: Republican

Age on Election Day: 59

Community: Cold Spring

Employment: Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I’m a mother of four, grandmother of seven, business owner, lifelong Minnesotan, and Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Before entering the legislature 7 years ago I served on my community’s school board for three terms. As House Speaker I led the charge to expose fraud of our tax dollars and stop the out-of-control tax and spending that Democrats pushed on Minnesotans when they had total control of government. I’m running for governor to save our state after 16 years of failed Democrat leadership in the executive branch. I am not a career politician, but I have the leadership skills and experience to fight for Minnesotans and return our state to a place where families can afford their lives.

Why are you running?

I’m running for governor to end the fraud of our tax dollars, restore fiscal sanity to our state and make Minnesota affordable after too many years of the Walz/Klobuchar status quo When Tim Walz and his Democrat allies had total control of our state government in 2023 and 2024, they raised our taxes by tens of billions of dollars, increased our state budget by nearly 40% and engaged in divisive, partisan overreach that has hurt our families and businesses. When I became House Speaker last year, I led the charge to stop fraud, stop tax increases and reduce our state budget by $5 billion. I’m ready to lead Minnesota’s Comeback. I recently released my affordability plan, which you can read at my website.

Editor’s note: The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce estimated in 2024 that Minnesota increased taxes over the next four years by $10 billion, pointing to increased corporate taxes and a 1% tax on investment income over $1 million.

Why should voters elect you?

Minnesotans are sick of their tax dollars being wasted on bad policy and stolen by fraudsters. As governor I will fire those responsible for the fraud. I’ll cut taxes for working families and businesses, end social security taxes for our seniors, preserve girls’ sports and support public safety to make our streets safe again. I’ll put a stop to the divisive ideology that has taken root in too many classrooms, and focus on delivering a quality education for children. I will also ensure we finally pass voter ID to help protect the integrity of our elections. I’ll restore an economic environment across our state where people choose to stay to start and grow a family or a business.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

I chose Ryan Wilson as my lieutenant governor running mate. Ryan ran for state auditor in 2022, and came within 0.32% of becoming the first Republican to win a statewide election since 2006. Ryan is a former business owner, a proven conservative and constitutional attorney who beat Tim Walz at the Supreme Court in 2025, when the Democrats fielded a candidate for legislature who lied about where he lived. Like me, Ryan is a lifelong Minnesotan. He's a father of five who resides with his wife and kids in Maple Grove. I've asked Ryan to help execute our plan to eliminate fraud in state government. Read our plan on my website.

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

Lower taxes. Stop fraud and government waste. Help make Minnesota competitive and affordable again for businesses and families.

Minnesota families afford their lives will be my top priority as governor. I will work to cut income taxes for families by reducing the lowest two tax brackets, dial back expensive car tab fees that were raised by Democrats, and finally end taxes on social security benefits for our seniors. I will also push to require that state surplus dollars be returned to the taxpayers who paid them, because a budget surplus should not be an excuse for politicians to spend more money. Read more about my priorities as governor at lisaformn.com

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

When I’m governor, I will fire Walz commissioners and replace them with best-in-class leaders in relevant areas of expertise. And if they don’t perform, or if fraud continues, they will be fired immediately. My administration will continue the work I fought for as House Speaker, which includes establishing a Fraud Prevention Committee and passing bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General. This new office will operate independently from the executive branch and have future law enforcement authority to clamp down on Minnesota’s rampant fraud. The new OIG will be responsible for investigating state agencies, grant recipients, and contractors. It also will have subpoena power and the authority to freeze or stop distribution of funds under court order.

Read more about my Fraud Prevention plan at lisaformn.com/fraud-prevention-plan/

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

Minnesota schools need a dramatic reset. Despite years of increased investment, our test scores have stagnated and too many kids are moving through our education system despite failing to meet basic benchmarks for reading, writing, math, and science. As Governor I will lead an education revolution that puts academic excellence and reading proficiency at the center of our agenda. Before I entered the legislature in 2019, I served three terms on the ROCORI School Board, where we proved we could solve problems and provide quality education for children in an efficient manner. I will fight to keep woke gender and racial ideology out of our classrooms and focus dollars in the classroom instead of on growing the education bureaucracy that is driving up local property taxes across Minnesota.

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

I have proven as a legislator since 2019, as House Minority Leader in 2023 and as House Speaker the last two years that I can lead my colleagues and work in constructive manner to get the basics done for Minnesotans. That does not mean we have to compromise our values. And it does not mean we have to throw more money at a problem. More often than not, the solutions to better and more efficient government do not involved spending more money. We will eliminate billions of wasted taxpayer dollars by ending the fraud culture that has persisted inside executive agencies that for 16 years under the control of Democrat governors. Minnesotans are ready to end that chapter of fraud.

Contributed

Website: https://www.amyklobuchar.com

Party: DFL

Age on Election Day: 66

Community: Minneapolis

Employment: US Senator

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

With roots in Northern Minnesota, I am the granddaughter of an iron ore miner and the daughter of a teacher and a newspaperman who taught me trust is earned by showing up and working hard.

I’ve never shied away from taking on the tough fights. I got involved in politics after John and I had our daughter, Abigail. She couldn’t swallow and was in intensive care, but I was discharged from the hospital after just 24 hours because of insurance rules. I became the leading advocate for one of the country’s first laws guaranteeing 48-hour hospital stays for new moms and babies.

After years in the private sector, I ran Minnesota’s largest prosecutor’s office, where I took on violent crime and fraud. In the Senate, I’ve been ranked #1 for bipartisan bills and #3 out of 100 for passing bills into law. I’ll deliver results as governor.

Why are you running?

I love Minnesota, and I want to get to work improving people’s lives. I’m not interested in the status quo – I want to be a transformative governor. That means making state government more effective, innovative, and accountable, including rooting out fraud and stopping it before it starts. It means lowering costs for Minnesotans who are paying too much for health care, child care, and housing. And it means keeping Minnesota competitive by investing in economic development in rural areas, completing high-speed broadband, expanding workforce training and apprenticeships, and supporting K-12 schools across our state by boosting student achievement and keeping students on task by banning cellphones in classrooms and reducing screentime.

I will stand up for what’s right and fix what’s wrong. I have a long record of bringing Minnesotans together to get things done and deliver results, and that’s what I will do as your governor.

Why should voters elect you?

I’m committed to getting things done that will improve Minnesotans’ lives. As your Senator, every year I visit all of Minnesota’s 87 counties. I’ve worked extensively with leaders in the Brainerd, Bemidji and Grand Rapids areas. We need to help families struggling to pay for health care, find affordable child care, or buy a home. That means cutting red tape and working with the private sector to build more housing in northern Minnesota, expanding access to affordable childcare, and taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices.

I’ll also launch a top-to-bottom audit of state agencies to root out fraud and make sure the money coming out of your paycheck is not misspent. I’ll strengthen criminal penalties and require surprise in-person inspections.

I’ll focus on strengthening student achievement in our schools and I’ll work with businesses to expand our economy and create good-paying jobs that reward hard work.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

My running mate is Ben Schierer, former Mayor of Fergus Falls, a dedicated husband and father of five, who knows what it takes to run a small business.

I chose Ben because he hasn’t just talked about how to create opportunities in Greater Minnesota, he has done it. As mayor, he brought together local government, small businesses, and non-profits to revitalize the Fergus Falls riverfront and bring local businesses back downtown. Ben has run two small businesses. He has experience getting results by bringing together the private sector, non-profits, and the public. He knows that transforming our government can’t happen without economic growth and that we need local solutions tailored to the needs of every community – not a one size fits all mentality. Together, we’ll bring that approach to state government.

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

I will make our state government more accountable to Minnesotans, stop fraud before it starts, and make sure that your tax dollars aren’t misspent.

I’ll work to lower costs for Minnesotans. Too many families are struggling to pay for health care, to find affordable child care, or to buy their first home. I’ll support rural hospitals and take on Big Pharma, expand child care, and work with the private sector to build more homes.

And I’ll be laser focused on expanding our economy and workforce. Anybody willing to work should have a path to success and a good job, which is why I will partner with the private sector, colleges, and local businesses to create 10,000 more apprenticeships, raise achievement in our schools, and expand pathways to degrees that connect directly to in-demand careers.

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

When I ran Minnesota’s largest prosecutor’s office, I took on fraud and corruption, and I will bring that approach and more to tackling fraud as governor.

On day one, I’ll begin a top-to-bottom audit of our state government to identify fraud, waste, and abuse. We need to stop fraud before it starts. That means vetting grants and contracts before state funds are awarded, and in-person, unannounced inspections.

I will create a “Do Not Pay” database to automatically and permanently ban anyone convicted of fraud against state programs from receiving any grants and contracts. And I’ll replace decades-old state payment and IT systems with new technology. to prevent, detect, and stop fraud.

We also need to strengthen criminal penalties and extend the statute of limitations for fraud in all state programs, not just Medicaid.

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

I hear about this from parents, teachers, and school leaders across Greater Minnesota. As the daughter of a teacher who taught second grade until she was 70, I know that our schools shouldn't have to choose between keeping the lights on and giving kids a great education. These cuts land on kids and teachers, which is why funding our schools will always be a priority for me.

I will invest in what works – proven, evidence-based reading and math curricula, tutoring, and supporting teachers, and I will broaden educator recruitment pipelines so rural districts can put great teachers in the classroom. I’ll also work to make health care more affordable for school personnel so that school districts aren't overwhelmed by costs they can't control. And I will help educators keep students on task by banning cellphones in classrooms and reducing screentime.

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

During my many visits to Bemidji to tour the damage from last year’s storms, I saw Minnesotans working together to clean up and aid struggling neighbors, helping each other regardless of political party. I’ve seen the same in the response to other crises in the region.

That’s what we need more of in our politics. In the Senate, I’ve been ranked #1 for bipartisan bills and #3 out of 100 for passing bills into law. I worked with Republican North Dakota Senator Cramer to pass a law helping families of firefighters who get sick from service-related cancers. And I’ve partnered with Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa on bills to take on Big Pharma and lower prescription drug costs.

In the plans I’ve put forward, I’ve drawn on ideas proposed by both Republicans and Democrats. As governor, I’ll work across the aisle to get things done.

Contributed

Website: steveformngov.info

Party: Green

Age on Election Day: 42

Community: Minneapolis

Employment: Metro Transit, Light Rail Operator

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

Twelve years in the USMC. 9 Years as a lawyer (with a bit of teaching of international law). 1-ish year of anti-ICE activism.

Why are you running?

I am running as an alternative to the two corporate parties who are complicit in the ICE invasion of our state this winter. I am running for those who have nothing left to lose, and have a world to win. I am running to save the environment, and our neighbors with a green jobs, and green defense program to keep us all safe from federal over reach.

Why should voters elect you?

So that justice can be meted out to ICE. So that the mutual aid-based revolution that sprung forth this winter in response to ICE's invasion, can be supported and endorsed by the government. So that the local government doesn't fail you when the feds come knocking.

Who is your running mate, and why did you choose them?

Jane Kirby - She is a long-time Green, a stalwart fighter against animal cruelty (specifically factory farming), and she spent this winter being a home midwife for folks who were unable to go to the hospital because of ICE's ethnic cleansing of our neighborhoods.

What are your top three priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.

Justice for our neighbors who were stolen and/or murdered. I will pursue ICE (and their collaborators with extreme prejudice).
Unified defense against federal over reach. Neighborhood-based, state-backed defense to ensure that our neighbors aren't kidnapped.
Green jobs. Save the environment, juice the economy by paying tons of folks to fix all the shit that's falling apart.

How would you address concerns of widespread fraud in state-run programs?

I will stop outsourcing state-run programs to unaccountable private organizations. State funds will only be spent by accountable state personnel.

Northern Minnesota schools have had to make significant budget cuts in recent years, with most districts citing a lack of state funding. What changes to Minnesota’s education funding formula do you support, if any?

I don't know the specific formulae, but I know that public schools need all the support they can get. Whatever the teachers need, I'll make sure they get it, and I'll slap the shit out of anyone who says otherwise. Our teachers saved our asses this winter, we owe them our souls!

There is a chance that Minnesota will have a split government during the next four years. How would you work across the aisle to govern effectively?

I'll pass anything that benefits my neighbors (all Minnesotans), but if the legislature comes at me with some corporate sellout bullshit, I will delay and deny their cronyism as much as I can.