(The Center Square) – Minnesota Democrats and Republicans gathered over the weekend for their official state party conventions, where they issued endorsements in many key races ahead of the 2026 election.
Those races included everything from governor and lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, auditor and more.
On the Democrat side, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party officially endorsed U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar for governor. For months, the party had rallied around her, especially after she received nearly 80% of the votes during her party’s February caucus.
During the convention, Klobuchar announced former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer as her running mate. Schierer also received an endorsement.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison applauded both of those.
“Minnesota needs leaders who know how to bring people together, solve problems, and deliver results,” Ellison said. “Looking forward to working together to keep moving our state forward.”
Ellison was also endorsed by the DFL for a third term as attorney general. Lawyer Ron Schutz received the Republican endorsement.
On the Republican side, they endorsed businessman Kendall Qualls for governor after 10 rounds of voting. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell were also in the running. Demuth previously led her party’s straw polling, making Qualls’ endorsement an upset.
“Kendall Qualls is exactly the kind of candidate Minnesota needs at this moment,” said Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Alex Plechash in a statement following the endorsement. “This race will be a clear choice. Kendall Qualls is a proven leader who believes Minnesota can be safer, stronger, more affordable, and more accountable. Amy Klobuchar is a career politician trying to run away from the record of the party she helped build.”
In Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat created by U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s decision not to seek reelection, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan received the DFL’s endorsement.
She officially filed to run in the primary on Monday.
“Today is June 1st, and there are families all across Minnesota breathing a sigh of relief because they just got paid,” Flanagan said. “They’re the same families who spent the last week figuring out how to stretch twenty dollars to the end of the month. Those are the people I’m running for.”
The Republicans endorsed former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who bested sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya for the endorsement.
“Adam Schwarze is exactly the kind of leader Minnesota needs in Washington,” Plechash in a statement following the endorsement. “Peggy Flanagan is the far-left lieutenant governor of an administration defined by fraud, scandal, mismanagement, rising costs, failing schools, and a collapse of public trust. She is not a new direction. She is the Walz record with a new campaign logo.”
Other notable endorsements include incumbent Steve Simon receiving the DFL endorsement for secretary of state, while former state legislator Tad Jude received the Republican endorsement.
Former Duluth City Council member Zack Filipovich was endorsed by the DFL for state auditor. Nate George, the mayor of Braham, received the Republican endorsement.
Both Republicans and Democrats expressed concerns with the other party and its endorsements.
“Despite a failed convention, the only thing the MNGOP managed to do was bend to their extremist MAGA wing,” the DFL said on social media.
Republicans also pushed back against Democrats.
“After years of fraud, tax hikes, rising costs, failing schools, and chaos under Democrat leadership, Minnesotans are not looking for a new spokesperson for the same failed policies,” Plechash said. “They are looking for a change in direction.”
While endorsements are not necessary to run in the state’s primary, they are influential for funding and campaigning. Notably, as previously reported by The Center Square, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, announced that she would be bypassing the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement process to focus on the August primary.
The state’s primary is Aug. 11, followed by the general election Nov. 3.
