The Minnesota Republican Party and the Minnesota DFL endorsed candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and other offices over the weekend. Those endorsements, which took place at party conventions, have set the stage for Minnesota’s upcoming August primary election.
Governor of Minnesota
At the DFL convention in Rochester, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar won the DFL endorsement for governor as expected. While Klobuchar had a last-minute challenger at the convention, she won the endorsement on the first ballot with 68% of the vote.
Klobuchar does not face any serious primary challengers and will likely win the August primary by a large margin. The absence of a primary challenger will allow her to focus on the general election early and avoid having to spend resources on the primary.
On the Republican side, business executive Kendall Qualls won the Republican endorsement for governor at the GOP convention in Duluth. Qualls won on the 10th ballot after a heated endorsement battle that included a voting technology failure.
Qualls bested Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell at the convention. Lindell has already announced that he is running in the primary.
Meanwhile, Demuth had pledged to abide by the endorsement leading up to the convention. However, she strongly criticized the technology failure that impacted voting. Demuth has not announced whether she will drop out, run in the primary, or run for her House seat.
Regardless of Demuth’s decision, Republicans will spend the summer fighting in what could be an ugly gubernatorial primary.
U.S. Senate
Former U.S. Navy Seal Adam Schwarze won the Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate, besting former sportscaster Michele Tafoya on the sixth ballot. That race also featured Royce White, the 2024 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Minnesota.
After Schwarze won the endorsement, both Tafoya and White announced they will run in the August primary. Tafoya has raised the most money of the three GOP candidates.
Prior to this weekend’s DFL convention in Rochester, Congresswoman Angie Craig said she would not seek her party’s endorsement for U.S. Senate. Instead, Craig announced that she she would compete in the August primary.
In Rochester, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan easily won the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate. As such, Flanagan and Craig are primed for what could be an expensive, ugly primary fight.
Attorney General
In Duluth, attorney and former JAG officer Ron Schutz won the Republican endorsement for attorney general. He did not have any opposition and won the endorsement by acclamation.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Keith Ellison won the DFL endorsement for attorney general by acclamation. Ellison is seeking a third term as attorney general.
Neither Ellison nor Schutz appear to have serious challengers in their respective primaries. As such, the pair will likely begin focusing on the general election.
Secretary of State
Former judge and state legislator Tad Jude won the Republican endorsement for secretary of state on the second ballot in Duluth. Meanwhile, incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon won the DFL endorsement. Simon is seeking a fourth term as secretary of state.
State Auditor
At the Republican convention, Braham Mayor Nate George won the GOP endorsement for state auditor on the first ballot, besting Scott Jensen by over 50 points. Jensen is a former state senator and 2022 GOP nominee for governor.
On the DFL side, former Duluth City Council member Zack Filipovich won the endorsement for state auditor. Filipovich beat State Rep. Dan Wolgamott and Tonka Bay Mayor Adam Jennings for the endorsement.
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.
