The Minnesota Legislature is as closely divided as it could get.
In the Minnesota House of Representatives, Republicans and DFLers each have 67 members and the two parties have shared power for the last two years in the tied chamber. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate is split 34-33, with Democrats having a one-seat majority.
As a result, Republicans could take total control of the state legislature with a change of just two seats, and Democrats could do the same by picking up just one seat in the House.
This year, all 201 seats in the state legislature are up for election, and the outcome will have a major impact on the direction of Minnesota. Whichever party wins legislative majorities will either usher in the next governor’s agenda or be a bulwark against it.
Given the closely-divided legislature and the high-stakes election coming up, national groups are targeting key legislative races in Minnesota and pouring money into the state.
Last month, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) unveiled its first group of legislative candidates it is supporting in Minnesota. The RSLC is a national Republican group that works to secure GOP majorities in legislative chambers across the country.
In Minnesota, the RSLC’s list of supported candidates includes Sen. Jim Abeler who occupies a toss-up seat in Anoka County and will likely face a close race. Four years ago, Abeler won reelection by less than 200 votes out of more than 34,000 cast.
Other incumbent Republicans backed by the RSLC include Sen. Julia Coleman who represents Chanhassen, Sen. Karin Housley who represents Stillwater, Rep. Aaron Repinski who represents Winona, and Rep. Erica Schwartz who represents a rural district north of Mankato.
The RSLC’s list also includes Andrea Zupancich, who is challenging incumbent DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild, and Austin Peterson, who is challenging incumbent DFL Sen. Rob Kupec. Hauschild won election to his northern Minnesota seat by less than two points in 2022.
Both Kupec and Hauschild’s districts were won by President Donald Trump in 2024 and are prime pickup opportunities for the GOP this year.
“After years of widespread fraud, rising costs, and far-left policies under Democrat leadership, Minnesotans are ready for leaders who will restore accountability, rein in reckless spending, and deliver real results for hardworking families,” RSLC President Edith Jorge-Tuñón said in a press release.
“The RSLC is proud to support a slate of candidates who are prepared to meet that challenge,” she added.
Since the beginning of the year, the RSLC has sent $575,000 to a political action committee (PAC) called Advance Minnesota Independent Expenditure Committee. Additionally, the RSLC has sent $550,000 in 2026 to another Minnesota PAC called the Jobs Coalition.
Campaign finance records show the RSLC regularly sends money to the Jobs Coalition, which supports Republican legislative candidates.
Meanwhile, the RSLC’s Democratic counterpart, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), also has a list of targeted races in Minnesota.
“The DLCC is all hands on deck to help fund the strong campaigns and infrastructure needed to reach voters and win both [Minnesota] chambers in November,” notes the DLCC.
Among its races, the DLCC is focused on defending Kupec, Hauschild, and Sen. Aric Putnam, another lawmaker from a district won by Trump. DFL state Reps. Lucy Rehm and Brad Tabke, who narrowly won House seats in 2024, are also on the DLCC’s list of supported candidates.
The DLCC is also pushing candidates it hopes will flip Republican legislative seats in Maple Grove, Hastings, Winona, St. Cloud, and northern Minnesota.
Since the beginning of 2026, the DLCC has sent a combined $1.2 million to campaign accounts belonging to the House DFL and Senate DFL. Campaign finance records show the DLCC regularly provides those two groups with money.
Over the next several weeks, candidates, PACs, and others will fight over the few legislative seats that will determine which party controls the Minnesota Legislature. On Nov. 3, Minnesota voters will go to the polls and decide for themselves.
For more on some of these key legislative races, watch for Alpha News’ forthcoming Swing District Spotlight series which will highlight the contests that will shape the next legislature.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
