Minnesota voters head to polls for Aug. 11 primary

Minnesota voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, August 11, for a primary election that will set the stage for a highly competitive November general election, with marquee races for governor and an open U.S. Senate seat topping the ballot. The primary will determine which candidates from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican parties advance to contest all constitutional offices, the full state legislature, and Minnesota's eight U.S. House seats.

The contest for governor was thrown into uncertainty when Governor Tim Walz withdrew his reelection bid in January amid scrutiny over fraud in state social services programs. His departure created an open seat and a crowded field. On the DFL side, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is widely expected to secure the nomination after winning the party's endorsement in May. She faces token opposition on the ballot. The Republican primary is a competitive three-way race between Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, and former healthcare executive Kendall Qualls. Qualls won the GOP endorsement in May, but Lindell has led in recent polling and received a presidential endorsement last month.