Under-the-radar races to watch in Minnesota's primaries
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Competitive primaries for U.S. Senate and governor have dominated the headlines and airwaves in the leadup to Minnesota's Aug. 11 primaries.
- But voters across the state will weigh in on a slew of other consequential races Tuesday.
Why it matters: The outcomes of these lower-profile contests could shape everything from criminal justice in Hennepin County to who wields power at the State Capitol.
Here's a primer on some of the races simmering down ballot. As always, you can see what will be on your ballot via the Secretary of State's Office.
⚖️ Hennepin County attorney
Five candidates are running to be the top prosecutor in Minnesota's most populous county, following County Attorney Mary Moriarty's decision not to seek a second term.
- They are: former federal prosecutor Anders Folk, state Rep. Cedrick Frazier, former Hennepin County prosecutor Diane Krenz, Ramsey County prosecutor Hao Nguyen, and attorney Matt Pelikan.
Worth noting: Frazier won the DFL endorsement. But this is a nonpartisan race, so the top two vote-getters advance to November, regardless of their political affiliation.
Be smart: Sahan Journal made a quiz to help voters identify which candidate is most aligned with their views.
🏛️Legislative incumbents on thin ice
Dozens of state legislative districts have competitive primaries, including 11 where incumbent legislators have attracted a same-party rival.
👀 One race to watch: Longtime state Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) is facing his first serious re-election campaign in years, with a challenge from former St. Louis Park City Council Member Lynette Dumalag.
- The fight for the suburban seat reflects a broader debate among Democrats about whether experience or change matters more in the current political moment, as the Star Tribune reports.
Between the lines: Many of these same-party challenges are in districts considered safe for one side come November.
- But the outcomes could still affect politics within the majority and minority caucuses, including the election of leaders after the election.
2nd Congressional District
The South Metro district, which DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is giving up for her U.S. Senate run, has been Minnesota's most competitive U.S. House seat in recent elections.
- State Rep. Kaela Berg, state Sen. Matt Klein and former state Sen. Matt Little are all running to be the DFL nominee. Little, who also served as Lakeville mayor, has the party's endorsement.
- Eric Pratt, a GOP state senator from Prior Lake, is running uncontested for the GOP nomination.
State auditor:
The auditor's race was decided by the narrowest margin of any constitutional office in 2022.
- The seat is open — incumbent Democrat Julie Blaha isn't running for re-election — and another close race may be brewing this year.
The reason: Republicans are expected to try again to make fraud targeting state programs a flashpoint, even though the office's jurisdiction on that topic is limited (its actual focus is local government finances).
🐘 Zoom in: The Republican race is seen as a two-way contest between Nate George, a central Minnesota mayor who won the GOP endorsement, and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen.
- Zack Filipovich, an accountant and former Duluth City Council member, is running unopposed for the DFL nomination.
Go deeper with candidate bios personalized for your ballot via the Star Tribune's voter guide.