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
Spin that Ish! September's Music Recap with the KAXE Music Team
Check out highlighted songs from Dry Cleaning, Genesis Owusu, Big Thief, Blue Moon Marquee and Northern Cree, Jeff Tweedy, Cate Le Bon, Jon Batiste and Geese.
2 Northern MN employers to pay $45K settlements over sex discrimination
The Department of Human Rights announced settlements over "blatant workplace sex discrimination" with Lakes Concrete Plus in Bemidji and Key Lime Air in Thief River Falls.
Itasca County judge declines to dismiss deadly Nashwauk hit-and-run case
The judge further ruled that evidence gathered as part of a driving-while-intoxicated investigation will remain in the case record and scheduled a plea hearing.
Crosby Fire grows to 50 acres in remote Crosby Manitou State Park
The Minnesota Interagency Fire Center reported the fire is burning in mixed maple hardwoods and fall leaf litter, primarily in a ridge area of the park.
Hunger fears grow in Minnesota as food shelves are overwhelmed
The ranks of the hungry are expected to grow as grocery prices remain high and the federal government has cut food stamps and other nutrition programs.
Authorities arrest man who escaped custody; Brainerd officials pitch bonding projects
Plus: Attorney General Keith Ellison hosts a forum in Bemidji; and webinars address forest management in wake of the June severe storm in the Beltrami County area.
Ellison hosts Bemidji forum, highlights actions against Trump admin
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's forum drew around 30 people to learn more about how the office is responding to tariffs, funding freezes and more.
Disaster loan outreach center open at Bemidji Fire Station No. 2
The U.S. Small Business Administration is operating the disaster loan outreach center at Bemidji Fire Station 2 through Oct. 18, 2025. The center is open despite the federal government shutdown.
Area Voices: Heartland Symphony Orchestra kicks off fall season
Heartland Symphony Orchestra’s fall concerts “Opening Nights” are Oct. 11-12, 2025, and will feature the world premiere of “Radiant” by Kyle Brown and “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughn Williams.
The Setlist: Where to hear live music Oct. 9-11 and 13-18, 2025
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features PK Mayo, Christopher David Hanson, Tattletale, Forge North, Mary & Emily LaPlant and Wussow's One Week Live.
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
