Election 2026

Madel joins a growing list of conservative candidates competing against DFL Governor Tim Walz, who will be running his second re-election bid in 2026.

The executive director of the Nameless Coalition for the Homeless and former Beltrami County commissioner posted a video on social media, saying he will seek the seat.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is running against Rep. Angie Craig for the DFL nomination in the race to fill retiring Sen. Tina Smith's seat.

Demuth joins a slew of Republican candidates who are vying to challenge Gov. Tim Walz next November. She emerged as the face of Republican opposition in the last session.

Fraudsters have gamed state government — and federal programs administered by MN — out of hundreds of millions, including the Feeding Our Future scandal, the autism program and Medicaid schemes.

The move keeps Ellison in lockstep with Gov. Tim Walz, who is also running for a third term. Ellison’s two prior statewide races were relatively close.

He’ll sell a tenure marked by crisis management, introduce a new vision for another four years and promise to be a bulwark against Trump.

Blaha has been in office since January 2019, when legislators were attempting to defund and possibly eliminate the Office of the State Auditor, according to a news release.

Both candidates — veteran officeholders with impressive credentials — are well positioned to succeed Sen. Tina Smith as Republicans are considered the underdogs.