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
Bemidji Day returns to the MN Capitol; Beltrami County seeks input on hazard plan
Plus: Townships across Minnesota will host their annual meetings on March 10, 2026; the DNR is seeking input on proposed changes to Itasca State Park; and the Superior National Forest will host a Tofte Ranger District open house on March 12.
Superior National Forest to host Tofte Ranger District open house
Forest staff will share information on upcoming road and trail construction, prescribed fire activities and recreation projects.
DNR seeks feedback on Itasca State Park management plan
The DNR is proposing two sets of changes in Itasca State Park to expand overnight camping and winter recreation, as well as protect Lake Itasca's shoreline.
Bemidji Day returns to the Minnesota State Capitol for 19th year
The Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce's annual trip to St. Paul on March 5, 2026, included many first-time visitors who advocated on local issues.
Public input sought for Beltrami County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Beltrami County Emergency Management is seeking public input as it works to update its hazard mitigation plan for events like floods, drought and severe windstorms.
Cass Lake area conservation officer named 2025 Officer of the Year
Patrick McGowan joined four other conservation officers who were honored at a late February 2026 ceremony at Camp Ripley.
At the Capitol: Fraud bills, slowing speeders, student cellphones, gun control
News Director Chelsey Perkins catches up on what's happening in St. Paul with Report for Minnesota student journalists Abbey Mulcahy, Kendra Mobilia, Shay Scanlan and Eleanor Steffen.
Events Up North March 9-15: St. Urho's celebrations in Menahga and Jacobson
Events this week include an open house for Superior National Forest in Aurora and the start of a new season of Bemidji Adventures in Lifelong Learning.
Question of the Week: When were you stymied by unexpected snowstorms?
Even though it's March, Minnesotans know that we could still see large amounts of snow. This week, we've been collecting stories about the ways snowstorms have affected you.
North Star Student: 1 season left in S-M's Ronnie Noska's 'amazing' tennis career
Noska was nominated for North Star Student because of her amazing tennis career — and the fact she's got one more season of fun and achievement ahead of her.
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
