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
The Setlist: Where to hear live music Sept. 12-14, 2024
KAXE's weekly list of concerts features Caige Jambor & Eric Haugen, Friday the 13th at Rapids Brewing, Ethnic Fest, Earth Rider Fest and Tim Fast.
Phenology Talkbacks: Students report on bryozoans and butterflies
Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.
Citing care denial, Essentia Health to drop 2 Medicare Advantage plans
Essentia is the second hospital system serving Minnesotans in as many weeks to announce plans to end its contract with Humana Medicare Advantage. The Duluth-based provider will also drop UnitedHealthcare.
Area Voices: Irish pianist to showcase talents at 2 BSU recitals
Irish pianist and teacher John O’Conor will perform solo and then as a duo at Bemidji State on Sept. 13 and 14. O’Conor and violinist Eric Olson join “Area Voices” to discuss their music and how their friendship began.
Sept. 11, 2024: Itasca County's search for Caleb Bolin enters its third week
Plus: Essentia Health drops Humana and UHC Medicare Advantage; Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids and Greenway sets up a new transportation plan; the Minnesota Supreme Court will visit Rock Ridge; MnDOT to replace an Embarrass culvert; and Irvine Avenue bridge in Bemidji will be closed next week.
Analysis: US Steel’s sale teeters, 2 Iron Range mines caught in fray
On the heels of reports that President Joe Biden was set to block the U.S. Steel sale, its chief executive threatened to close plants and move its headquarters.
Red Lake Nation, Region 5 gain federal funds for clean energy projects
The Department of Energy awarded millions of dollars to small and medium-sized tribal nations and local governments for clean energy projects.
Sept. 10, 2024: Northern MN voters will decide 49 local ballot options
And: State Sen. Mary Kunesh shares her thoughts on why bills proposing the transfer of land to the White Earth and Red Lake nations faced stark opposition; and rural areas within the state are assessing recent high-profile law changes and program funding with Gov. Tim Walz on the national political spotlight.
MnDOT reminds campaigners to keep signs out of right-of-ways
With many campaign signs decorating lawns already, candidates are reminded to keep signs out of driving lanes, shoulders and ditches around Minnesota's highways.
Renewables help reshape MN ag land use, support local economies
Leaders in Mower County said there are economic benefits of using farmland for solar projects.
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