Record primary sets first-ever woman-vs-woman Minnesota governor race
Republican Lisa Demuth and Democrat U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar won Minnesota's gubernatorial primaries Tuesday, setting up the state's first woman-vs-woman general election this November.[1]
Demuth captured 44.3% of the GOP vote, defeating Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls, and would be Minnesota's first Black governor if elected.[1] Klobuchar won the Democratic primary with about 89.7% and has tapped former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer as her running mate.[1] Statewide turnout topped a record 1,103,000 ballots, roughly 25% of eligible voters; counties will canvass returns and present them to the State Canvassing Board on August 18.[2]
The governor's seat was open because Gov. Tim Walz declined to seek a third term, making this the first open contest since 2018.[3] FOX 9 hosted a live-results page during returns and earlier coverage highlighted GOP polling shifts, including Trump-backed Mike Lindell's earlier lead narrowing against Demuth while Kendall Qualls held the party endorsement.[3]
Early coverage focused on the crowded GOP fight and shifting polls.[3] Later Fox 9 reporting explicitly framed the outcome as guaranteeing Minnesota's first woman governor.[1]
Show source details & analysis (5 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic primary with about 89.7% of the vote and will face the Republican nominee in November; her running mate is former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer (Amy Klobuchar).
- Republican Lisa Demuth won the GOP primary with 44.3% of the vote, defeating Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls, and if elected would be Minnesota’s first Black governor (Lisa Demuth).
- Regardless of the November outcome, Minnesota will elect its first woman governor in 2026 (first woman governor).
- Statewide primary turnout set a record at more than 1,103,000 ballots (about 25% of eligible voters), marking the first Minnesota primary above 1 million and surpassing the 2018 record of 925,554; counties will canvass returns and present results to the State Canvassing Board on August 18 (more than 1,103,000 ballots).
- FOX 9 hosted a live results page for the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries, with returns posted beginning after polls closed at 8 p.m. (live results page).
- The governor’s race was an open seat because Gov. Tim Walz declined to seek a third term, making it the first open contest since 2018 (Gov. Tim Walz).
- In the Republican field, Trump-backed Mike Lindell led in earlier polling but his advantage narrowed against Lisa Demuth in recent SurveyUSA polls; Kendall Qualls held the party endorsement, and Lindell advocated eliminating the state income tax (Mike Lindell).
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Explicitly states that regardless of outcome, Minnesota will elect its first woman governor in November 2026.
- Notes that if Lisa Demuth wins, she would be Minnesota’s first Black governor, citing National Governors Association data.
- Provides updated, slightly different primary vote share for Klobuchar (89.7%) and confirms Demuth’s exact share at 44.3% against Lindell and Qualls.
- Adds biographical detail on Demuth (first Black House speaker, small business owner, ROCORI school board service) and on Klobuchar (fourth Senate term, current seniority and leadership rank).
- Statewide primary turnout reached more than 1,103,000 ballots, about 25% of eligible voters, according to unofficial SOS figures.
- This marks Minnesota’s first primary above 1 million votes and surpasses the 2018 record of 925,554.
- The primary results will be canvassed by counties and presented to the State Canvassing Board on August 18.
- Confirms U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has won the Democratic primary for Minnesota governor.
- Reports that Klobuchar captured 89.1% of the vote against six opponents, including Kobey Layne.
- States she will face the Republican primary winner in November.
- Reiterates that she is DFL-endorsed and backed by outgoing Gov. Tim Walz, and notes her running mate is former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer.
- FOX 9 is hosting a live results page for the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries, with returns starting after polls close at 8 p.m.
- Article underscores that the governor’s race is officially open for the first time since 2018 because Gov. Tim Walz declined to seek a third term.
- Piece highlights polling dynamics in the Republican field, noting Mike Lindell’s Trump-backed lead has narrowed versus Lisa Demuth in recent SurveyUSA polling, with Kendall Qualls holding the party endorsement.
- Provides biographical and political positioning detail on leading GOP contenders Qualls, Demuth and Lindell, including Lindell’s plan to eliminate the state income tax and his Trump endorsement.