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
Osage woman ID'd as victim in Feb. 18 fire; Roseau pilot awaiting day in Red Lake court
And: Walz releases anti-fraud package after Trump administration announces Minnesota Medicaid cuts; Rachel Anthony murder still unsolved after 25 years; Staples-Motley are state wrestling champs.
Families, youth club grapple with potential loss of JW Smith Elementary
The Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji Area operates a branch at J.W. Smith. Families and staff are concerned about the future of the grant-funded program if the school closes.
Roseau pilot still waiting for day in Red Lake tribal court
Darrin Smedsmo's vintage aircraft was impounded following an emergency landing within the Red Lake Nation in October 2025, and he is still waiting for a day in tribal court.
Redheads and redpolls catch the eye of biologist Pam Perry
Pam Perry, retired non-game wildlife biologist, discusses the wonders of late winter birding, including Red-headed Woodpeckers, Common Redpolls and Horned Larks.
An update on Grand Rapids Riverfest 2026
After a lot of thought and consideration, Grand Rapids Riverfest will take a break this year. This pause reflects KAXE’s financial realities and the complexities of putting on an event of this scale.
Walz releases anti-fraud package, denounces federal Medicaid cuts
The package has 18 proposals, including prohibiting legislators from making direct appropriations to nonprofits and establishing a centralized Office of Inspector General.
Going on a lark on Valentine's Day
In this episode, co-hosts Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan discuss Horned Larks and anthocyanins (new vocabulary word!).Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!
Events Up North March 2-7: Fat bike rally in Bemidji, sing-along in Grand Rapids
Events this week include a snowshoe hike in Chisholm, a People Powered Party celebrating a beer brewed in KAXE's honor, and a symphony orchestra showcase in Bemidji.
Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Northern Lakes, Warroad make boys hockey state tourney
The four teams will represent rural Northern Minnesota in the state tournament March 4-7, 2026, in the Twin Cities.
Staples-Motley back-to-back state wrestling champs; UNC consolation champs
The Cardinals' dominant run at the state tournament ended with another championship Feb. 26, 2026. United North Central's more mixed results resulted in a fifth-place finish.
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
