Hennepin County 2026 Primary Guide: Who's Running, What You Need To Know

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — Minnesota's Aug. 11 primary is closing in, and Hennepin County voters will find crowded fields at the top of the ballot for U.S. Senate and governor. It's an open primary, meaning voters don't register by party, but they decide at the polls which single party's ballot to take and can't vote for candidates from more than one.

Here's a rundown of what's at stake, based on a sample ballot released by Hennepin County. Some legislative and local races vary by precinct within the county and aren't reflected below.

U.S. Senate

With Sen. Tina Smith retiring, the DFL primary is a proxy fight between Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the party-endorsed candidate. Peter John Murgic, George H Kalberer, Kurt Michael Anderson and Billy Nord round out the DFL field. On the Republican side, former NBC sportscaster Michele Tafoya faces GOP-endorsed Adam Schwarze and former NBA player Royce White, along with Patrick Munro, Joyce Lacey, Tom Weiler, Cynthia Gail, Bob "Again" Carney Jr. and Ahmad R. (Raafat) Hassan.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Gov. Tim Walz isn't running again, leaving an open seat. House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls lead a seven-way Republican field that also includes John Krhin, Ross Nova, Loner Blue, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and Raul J Estrada. On the DFL side, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who left the Senate to run for governor, faces six challengers, including Ole "Viking" Savior, Bill E Gates J.R., Kobey J Layne, Mohammad Wazwaz, Thomas Evenstad and Po Vang.

U.S. House, District 5

In the portion of Hennepin County covered by the 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis, longtime DFL Rep. Ilhan Omar faces primary challengers Latonya T. Reeves, Nate Schluter, Abena A. McKenzie and Julie Trang Le. On the Republican side, Angie Windhauser, Dalia Al-Aqidi, Abbey Zieska and John Nagel are competing for the nomination.

State Senate, District 62

State Sen. Omar Fateh is being challenged by Jeanelle Austin and Brenda Short in the DFL primary. No Republican has filed for the seat.

Down-ballot races

Secretary of State Steve Simon is unopposed in the DFL primary, while Wendy Phillips and Tad Jude face off for the Republican nomination. Zack Filipovich is unopposed for state auditor on the DFL side, with Scott Jensen, Will Finn and Nate George competing in the Republican primary. Attorney General Keith Ellison faces DFL primary opponent David J.S. Madgett, while Ronald J. Schutz is unopposed on the Republican side.

Hennepin County also has a nonpartisan primary this cycle, including a contested county attorney's race and county commissioner and school board seats that vary by district and are not covered here.

For a precinct-specific ballot, voters can use the Minnesota Secretary of State's sample ballot lookup at sos.mn.gov.