Minnesota Primary Election
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 · 81 days away
U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Governor, statewide offices
What’s being decided
A primary election determines which candidates advance to the November general election. Voters in each party select their nominee, and the winners face each other in the fall.
Minnesota holds an open primary — any registered voter may participate, regardless of party affiliation.
Candidates
U.S. Senate
Democratic · Incumbent since 2018
Tina Smith has represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2018, when she was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Al Franken. She was subsequently elected to a full term in 2020. A former Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, she has focused on rural healthcare access, mental health, and affordable housing.
Republican
Karin Housley is a Minnesota Republican who previously served in the Minnesota State Senate and ran for U.S. Senate in 2018. She is among the candidates seeking to challenge incumbent Senator Tina Smith in 2026. Housley, whose husband Phil Housley is a former NHL player and coach, has run on a platform of fiscal conservatism, border security, and reducing government regulation.
Governor
Democratic · Incumbent since 2019
Tim Walz has served as Governor of Minnesota since 2019 and was Kamala Harris's vice presidential running mate in 2024. He is a former high school teacher, football coach, and 12-year congressman from southern Minnesota. Under his tenure Minnesota enacted significant progressive legislation including free school meals, paid family leave, and expanded abortion protections. He has not confirmed his 2026 intentions, but remains the most prominent figure in Minnesota Democratic politics.
Voter information
Registration deadline
Register through Election Day
You can register and vote on Election Day at your polling place.