Wait. Stop. If you’re checking for the latest on the 2026 race, you’ve probably noticed the map just got set on fire. It was supposed to be a standard, maybe even boring, reelection bid for Tim Walz. But then January 5, 2026, happened.
Governor Walz basically dropped a political nuke by announcing he’s not seeking a third term. He’s out. He cited the weight of governing—specifically the ongoing headache of fraud investigations in state programs like Feeding Our Future—and said he’s done with the campaign trail.
So, what was a predictable race is now a wide-open scramble. Honestly, the governor of minnesota candidates list is growing so fast it’s hard to keep up. Everyone from UFC fighters to pillow moguls to seasoned senators is eyeing the mahogany desk in St. Paul.
The Democratic Power Vacuum
For a long time, the DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) side was "Walz or bust." Now? It’s a frenzy.
The biggest name lurking in the wings is Amy Klobuchar. Yeah, that Amy Klobuchar. She just won reelection to the Senate in 2024, but rumors are swirling that she’s looking at a "free shot" at the governor's mansion. Since her seat isn't up until 2030, she could run for governor, win, and then just appoint her own successor. It's a power move.
But it’s not just her. You’ve got Steve Simon, the Secretary of State, who actually pulled more votes than Walz did back in 2022. He hasn't jumped in yet, but he’s definitely watching the polls. Then there’s Keith Ellison, the Attorney General. He’s running for reelection as AG right now, but in politics, "no" often means "maybe if the price is right."
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The Republican Crowd: It’s Getting Weird
On the GOP side, things are already crowded. Like, "standing room only" crowded.
Scott Jensen is back. You remember him—the doctor who ran against Walz in 2022. He announced his return in July 2025, betting that his base is still hungry for a rematch. But he’s got company. Lisa Demuth, the Speaker of the Minnesota House, is in the mix. She’s a serious player who represents the "establishment" wing of the party.
Then you have the wildcards.
- Mike Lindell: The MyPillow CEO finally did it. He’s running. He’s got the Trump endorsement, which carries a ton of weight in a primary but might be a harder sell in a general election in the Twin Cities suburbs.
- Brad Kohler: A retired UFC fighter. No, seriously. He’s pitching himself as an outsider who knows how to fight—literally. He actually compared his political philosophy to the movie Gladiator in a recent interview.
- Kendall Qualls: A healthcare executive who has run before. He’s currently leading some of the early internal straw polls among GOP activists.
The Fraud Factor
You can't talk about these candidates without talking about why the door opened in the first place. Minnesota has been rocked by massive fraud scandals. We're talking hundreds of millions of dollars meant for hungry kids and frontline workers that just... vanished into thin air.
Republicans like Kristin Robbins and Peggy Bennett (both state reps who are running) are making this the center of their pitch. They're basically saying the current administration left the back door unlocked and the lights on for fraudsters.
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Even Walz admitted in his exit speech that these investigations were taking up all his time. It's a rare moment of political honesty, but it leaves the DFL in a defensive crouch. Whoever the Democratic nominee ends up being will have to answer for "the fraud years" while trying to keep the party's winning streak alive.
The Third Party Wildcard
Don't ignore the "None of the Above" energy. Mike Newcome is running as an Independent under the Forward-Independence Party banner. He’s leaning hard into the "common sense" lane, trying to snag voters who are exhausted by the Lindell vs. Klobuchar type of drama.
And then there's Jesse Ventura. The Body. He’s been teasing a run on and off for months. If he actually gets on the ballot, throw all your spreadsheets out the window. Minnesota loves a spectacle, and Ventura is the ultimate disruptor.
Why This Race Is Different This Time
Usually, Minnesota governors get a honeymoon. Not anymore. The state is split right down the middle. The DFL holds the Senate by one single seat. The House is basically a tie.
The next governor won't just be a figurehead; they’ll be the tiebreaker for the entire state’s direction.
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| Candidate | Party | Background | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Klobuchar | DFL | U.S. Senator | Rumored / Heavyweight |
| Mike Lindell | GOP | CEO, MyPillow | Declared |
| Lisa Demuth | GOP | Speaker of the House | Declared |
| Scott Jensen | GOP | Physician | Declared |
| Kendall Qualls | GOP | Business Executive | Declared |
| Steve Simon | DFL | Secretary of State | Potential |
What You Should Watch Next
The calendar is the boss here. We’re heading into a massive year for Minnesota politics.
- February 2026 Straw Polls: This is where we see if Lindell’s "MAGA" energy actually translates to delegate support or if Demuth and Qualls have the ground game.
- June 2, 2026 Filing Deadline: This is the "put up or shut up" date. If Klobuchar hasn't filed by then, she's not coming.
- August 11, 2026 Primary: This is the big one. With so many candidates, expect some very narrow victories.
If you’re a voter, the best thing you can do right now is ignore the TV ads. Honestly, they’re just noise. Look at the fundraising reports coming out in late January. Cash doesn't always win, but in a crowded field of a dozen people, it's the only way to keep your head above water.
Pay attention to how these candidates talk about the state's budget surplus versus the fraud scandals. That’s where the real election will be won or lost. If the GOP can't unite behind one person, the DFL might just walk away with it again, even without Walz. But if the Democrats spend the next six months fighting each other in a primary, the door is wide open for a Republican to take the seat for the first time in two decades.
Check your voter registration now at the Secretary of State's website. Minnesota allows same-day registration, but getting it done early saves you a massive headache at the polls in November.