Klobuchar Win Gives Minnesota Democrats Full State Control

Amy Klobuchar’s victory in Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial election has given the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party control of the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature, restoring a Democratic trifecta in state government. The party’s legislative majorities were based on unofficial results, with two Senate races headed to automatic recounts, leaving the final margins unsettled. Klobuchar, a U.S. senator, defeated Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and is set to take office in January. Her election also means a vacancy in the Senate. Klobuchar said at her first news conference as governor-elect that she would appoint a replacement after taking office. Under state law, a special election is scheduled for November 2027, and the winner would serve the remainder of her term, which ends in 2031. She has not named an appointee. The DFL had at least 77 seats in the 134-member House, according to results reported while votes were still being counted. In the 67-member Senate, the Associated Press had called at least 37 seats for Democrats; DFL leaders said they expected to win in 39 districts. Two Republican-held seats were headed to automatic recounts. Earlier...