Klobuchar Picks Greater Minnesota Mayor To Be Her No. 2 In Race For Governor

FERGUS FALLS, MN — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has picked former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer as her running mate in the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race.

Klobuchar announced the choice Friday, describing Schierer as a former mayor and small business owner who knows greater Minnesota.

“Ben hasn’t just talked about how to create opportunities in greater Minnesota, he’s actually done it,” Klobuchar said in her announcement. “He knows what it takes to run a small business. He’s run two of them. He knows what it takes to get results by bringing people together, because that’s what he did as mayor.”

Schierer was elected Fergus Falls mayor in 2016 and reelected in 2020. He previously served on the Fergus Falls City Council, according to his biography with NewDEAL Leaders.

Schierer and his wife, Tessa, have owned and operated Union Pizza & Brewing Company and Tōast in downtown Fergus Falls, according to the biography.

Fergus Falls is in Otter Tail County, about 175 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.

Klobuchar, a Democrat, announced earlier this year that she would run for governor after Gov. Tim Walz said he would not seek another term.

The pick gives Klobuchar a running mate with a greater Minnesota background as the governor’s race begins to take shape ahead of the 2026 election.