Story perspectives

Klobuchar and Flanagan Win Minnesota Primaries for Governor, Senate

8/13/2026

Center

Klobuchar Wins Nomination

Minnesota held primary elections on Aug. 11, 2026, selecting party nominees for governor and U.S. Senate.
The results set up a race for Minnesota’s first woman governor, with Amy Klobuchar winning Democratic nomination (89.7%) and Lisa Demuth winning Republican nomination (43%).
Peggy Flanagan secured the Senate nomination with 59% of the vote, beating Rep. Angie Craig.
Michele Tafoya won the Republican Senate nomination with roughly 53% of the vote.

Left

Flanagan Secures Senate

Minnesota held its primary elections on August 11, 2026, choosing party nominees for governor and U.S. Senate.
Progressive nominees secured the Senate and governor tickets, making the immigration crackdown a central community issue.
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan beat Congresswoman Angie Craig for the Democratic Senate nomination.
If elected, Flanagan would be first Native American woman in the U.S. Senate.
Mike Lindell lost to Lisa Demuth, who became first woman to win Minnesota’s Republican gubernatorial nomination.

History

Historical Context

After Vice President Hubert Humphrey died in January 1978, Governor Rudy Perpich appointed his widow Muriel Humphrey Brown, making her Minnesota’s first female U.S. senator and serving from January to November 1978. The ensuing 1978 Republican sweep—known as the Minnesota Massacre—flipped three statewide offices. In 2026, Amy Klobuchar’s 89.7% primary win and Peggy Flanagan’s 59% Senate nomination echo that pioneering breakthrough.

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Klobuchar Wins Nomination

Minnesota held primary elections on Aug. 11, 2026, selecting party nominees for governor and U.S. Senate.
The results set up a race for Minnesota’s first woman governor, with Amy Klobuchar winning Democratic nomination (89.7%) and Lisa Demuth winning Republican nomination (43%).
Peggy Flanagan secured the Senate nomination with 59% of the vote, beating Rep. Angie Craig.
Michele Tafoya won the Republican Senate nomination with roughly 53% of the vote.

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