Minnesota 2026 election guide: Attorney general, secretary of state and auditor
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All of Minnesota's constitutional offices are on the ballot next Tuesday.
Why it matters: While the U.S. Senate and governor's races have sucked up most of the oxygen, the outcome of other statewide contests could also have major impacts on Minnesotans' lives.
State of play: Polling and past results also suggest some of these races could give Republicans their best shot at winning a statewide office for the first time in 20 years.
Zoom in: Here's a closer look at the three other constitutional offices on this year's midterm ballots:
Attorney general
Who's running: Incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) vs. attorney Ron Schutz (R)
Why it matters: The attorney general defends state laws and represents Minnesota in state and federal courts.
- The office also pursues consumer protection civil lawsuits, assists county attorneys with serious criminal cases and prosecutes Medicaid fraud.
State of play: Polling and campaign spending point to another potential barnburner, as Ellison vies for a third term.
Top issues: Ellison argues that he's used the office to stand up against President Trump — including on Operation Metro Surge — and to lower costs by taking on corporations over high prices and unfair business practices.
- Schutz says Ellison's time in office has been too politicized and that fraud should be a bigger focus. He told KAXE that other top priorities include supporting law enforcement and preventing transgender girls from participating in girls' sports.
Worth noting: Minnesota hasn't elected a GOP attorney general in 60 years.
Go Deeper: Watch the two candidates debate on "Almanac."
Secretary of state
Who's running: Incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon (D) vs. former state Rep. Tad Jude (R)
- Green Party candidate Seth Kuhl-Stennes and Libertarian George "Chip" Tangen are also in the running.
Why it matters: The secretary of state oversees elections and business registrations in Minnesota.
Friction points: Simon, who is running for a fourth term, told KAXE that he'll continue to push back against "unjustified federal interference" in elections and champion laws that protect and expand access to the polls.
- Jude told Forum News Service that he'd prioritize "transparency and accountability" by pushing for a voter ID law and adding a business integrity unit to crack down on fraudulent filings. He also told KAXE he wants to go back to flying the old state flag.
The intrigue: The rivals agree that protecting voter privacy should be a priority when it comes to federal requests for data.
Go deeper: Watch the "Almanac" debate.
State auditor
Who's running: Zack Filipovich (D), a former Duluth council member and accountant, vs. doctor and former state legislator Scott Jensen (R)
- Forward Independence candidate Jay Reeves is also on the ballot.
Why it matters: The auditor serves as a check on local government finances, overseeing some $56 billion in spending.
- While it can investigate allegations of embezzlement or misuse of local government funds, the office has limited authority when it comes to fraud in state programs.
State of play: Incumbent Democrat Julie Blaha, who opted not to run for reelection this year, won the office by the slimmest of margins of any statewide race in 2022.
- Limited polling available this time around shows another close race.
Zoom in: Jensen, a two-time gubernatorial candidate and former school board member, says he'd fight fraud by hiring more forensic auditors, leaning on artificial intelligence for data analysis and advocating for more whistleblower protections.
- Filipovich says he'll focus on transparency and helping local governments address a workforce shortage for accountants in addition to providing more trainings and resources, per MPR News.
Between the lines: Auditor has served as a springboard to higher offices in the past — former Govs. Mark Dayton and Arne Carlson both served as auditor before running for governor.
Go deeper: Watch the rivals debate on KSTP.
Worth noting: In addition to fulfilling their primary job duties, the auditor, attorney general and secretary of state serve as a check on the governor's authority via the executive council and oversee investments for state and local employee retirement plans via the State Board of Investment.
- The attorney general also sits on the Board of Pardons.