Thursday night's presidential debate might have some wishing the 2024 elections were over, but in Minnesota, it's just getting started.
Early absentee voting started Friday, June 28, for the state's Aug. 13 primary. Any voter in Minnesota can vote early in person or by mail through Aug. 12.
In partisan races, more than one candidate per party triggers a primary. In nonpartisan races, the number of candidates must be more than double the number of seats for a primary to occur; the primary will narrow the number of candidates to two per seat.
Primaries are possible in all federal, state and county offices. Only some cities and school districts have primaries.
Filings for municipalities and school districts without primaries open July 30.
The following is a list of races that will appear on primary ballots in Northern Minnesota compiled by KAXE News, per the Secretary of State's 2024 candidate filings database.
Not sure which districts you're in? Visit the Minnesota Legislature's Who Represents Me? tool or your local county elections office.
Don't see an office you know is up for election? It may be uncontested. Check out our full list of candidate filings.
Report an error or omission by emailing news@kaxe.org.
Have a question? Ask KAXE! We're committed to keeping Northern Minnesotans at the center of our news and information. Click here to send your question and learn more.
Table of Contents
Federal and State Cities | Counties Townships |
Federal offices
U.S. Senator
- Democrats: Steve Carlson, Ahmad R. Hassan, George H. Kalberer, Amy Klobuchar (incumbent, party endorsed), Ole Savior
- Republicans: John Berman, Loner Blue, Joe Fraser, Alycia R. Gruenhager, Patrick D. Munro, Raymond D. Petersen, Christopher Seymore Sr., Royce White (party endorsed)
7th Congressional District
- Republicans: Steve Boyd, Michelle Fischbach (incumbent)
8th Congressional District
- Democrats: John Munter, Jen Schultz (party endorsed)
- Republicans: Pete Stauber (incumbent, party endorsed), Harry R. Welty
State offices
House District 6B
- Republicans: Josh Heintzeman (incumbent), Matthew Eric Zinda
House District 7B
- Republicans: Matt Matasich, Cal Warwas (party endorsed)
House District 10A
- Republicans: Ron Kresha (incumbent), Diane Webb-Skillings
6th Judicial District
- Judge Bench 6: Gunnar B. Johnson, Peter Raukar, Shawn Reed, John B. Schulte, Gerald Wallace
More from KAXE
State and local government can push back against fraudsters; MN DEED announces grants for budding cannabis industry
Plus: Crow Wing County is hosting a meeting on its long-range transportation plan, and Second Harvest Northland's BackPack Program will continue serving northeastern Minnesota students through the 2025-26 school year.
MN lawsuit: Effects from data center projects fly under the radar
Industry groups say Minnesota is home to at least 40 data centers, with nearly a dozen more being proposed.
Can public option save MN families from expensive child care?
In the United States, the Roosevelt Institute cites research that says about 43% of families with young children who pay for child care pay unaffordable rates.
Events Up North Aug. 27-31: Field Day in Staples, bats at Sax-Zim Bog
Events this week include a pancake breakfast at Lake Bemidji State Park, Native American Music and Arts Festival in Onamia and a golf benefit in Park Rapids.
How state and local government can push back against fraudsters
Federal prosecutors estimate that fraud targeting Minnesota aid programs could wind up exceeding $1 billion.
MN DEED announces grants for growing legal cannabis industry
The agency announced $3.6 million in funding to help businesses enter and expand into the cannabis industry and provide workforce training grants for cannabis jobs.
Unique year for wild rice with abundant, accessible stands
While storms and high water impacted some areas, wild rice is looking great in much of Northern Minnesota, and there's enough water to get to it.
BackPack Program provides food-insecure kids weekend meals in Northland
In the 15-county service region served by Second Harvest Northland, the organization says 1 in 6 children don’t have access to enough food to lead a healthy and active life.
Meeting will present public input on Crow Wing's transportation plan
It will be 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28, 2025, at the Crow Wing County Land Services Building in Brainerd. The plan will help the county make informed decisions for the next 10-20 years.
The Setlist: Where to hear live music Aug. 22-23, 2025
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features the Mississippi Headwaters Music Fest, Sam Miltich & The Clearwater Hot Club, Steve Earle and MorningBird.
County offices
Becker County
- Commissioner District 3: Phil Hansen, Henry "Hank" Ludtke, Terry L. Mackner
- Commissioner District 4: Jason Dale Bristlin, Donald Skarie, Richard Vareberg (incumbent)
- Commissioner District 5: Jack Heisler, Barry Nelson (incumbent), Dave E. Shaw
Beltrami County
- Commissioner District 4: Frank Duresky, Tim Sumner (incumbent), John Wilson Winnett
Carlton County
- Commissioner District 5: Neil Dickenson, Alex French, John Peura, Dan Reed, Jason Syrett, Chad Walsh
Cass County
- Commissioner District 3: Karen Goodenough, Rusty Lilyquist, Jim Qualley
Clearwater County
- Commissioner District 2: Adam Broden, Carl McCollum, James O'Bryan, Bryan Ramsrud, Greg Scherzer
- Commissioner District 4: Bruce Emmel, Corey Petterson, Juleigh Prosser
Crow Wing County
- Commissioner District 5: Doug Houge (incumbent), Johnna Johnson, Jamie Lee
Kittson County
- Commissioner District 2: Paul Dziengel, Theresia Gillie (incumbent), Waylin Olson
- Commissioner District 4: Allison Frislie, Derry Jones, Corrine "Missy" Karboviak, Leon Olson (incumbent)
Norman County
- Commissioner District 1: Randal Gorder, Sarah Green, Timothy Oistad
- Commissioner District 5: Darren Andersen, Gregory Crader, Nicole Nogowski, John Rosenberger
City offices
Bemidji
- Mayor: Daniel Jourdain, Jorge Prince (incumbent), Adam Steele
- Council Ward 3: Katie Carter, Mark Dickinson, Greg Kuhn
- Council Ward 5: Bill Batchelder, Lynn Eaton (incumbent), Michael Meehlhause
Chisholm
- Council (elect three): Audry M. Bailey, Brandan Fiedler, Seraphia Gravelle, Marty Halverson (incumbent), Cheyenne Mikkola-Rahja (incumbent), Travis Vake (incumbent), James Varda
Mountain Iron
- Council (elect two): Daniel L. Gunderson, Bradley Gustafson, Kristina Hawkins, Joe Prebeg Jr. (incumbent), Edmund "Ed" Roskoski (incumbent)
Virginia
- Council (elect three): Ricky Angellar, Annie Bachschneider, David S. Hansen, Steven B. Johnson (incumbent), Julieanne Paulsen (incumbent), Rodney Salo, Jared Siebert
Township offices
Port Hope Township
- Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat A: Ashley Stevens (incumbent)
- Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat B: Steve Schaubhut (incumbent)
- Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat C: James C. Adams (incumbent)
- Special Election for Town Clerk: Amanda Kerkhoff
Shamrock Township
- Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat D: Bruce W. Johnson
- Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat E: Brock Hayes, Greg Neumann