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Tomorrow is Election Day. Minnesota, along with 35 other states with governor races on the ballot, will elect its chief executive for the next four years. Incumbent Democrat Gov. Tim Walz is seeking reelection and is being challenged by former state senator Dr. Scott Jensen. Jensen is hoping to be Minnesota’s first Republican governor in 12 years. Minnesota’s three other executive offices on the ballot tomorrow include the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the State Auditor with Democrats currently holding all four offices.
Minnesota’s once-in-decade redistricting cycle saw the creation of new federal and state legislative maps, requiring all 201 seats of the MN state legislature to be up for election. In total, 37 legislators (19 House, 18 Senate) are set to retire at the end of their current terms. Additionally, 10 state representatives are running for the state senate, eight legislators are seeking political offices outside the legislature, and five were defeated in the August 9th primary. Nearly 500 years of combined legislative experience will leave with this slate of retirements.
Larkin Hoffman has been working tirelessly to monitor the 2022 election cycle. This Election Guide breaks down Minnesota’s most competitive races that will likely decide the fate of the state legislature. Look for additional updates over the next week as election results are announced and the legislature begins the process of electing leadership for the next legislative session.
Federal Update
If you want an early look at how the midterms will unfold on Tuesday night – including signs of a red wave – keep an eye on Virginia’s 2nd, 7th and 10th districts. Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Va.) versus state Senator Jen Kiggans, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) versus Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) versus Navy veteran Hung Cao. Some of the earliest results will come in the reelection races of Luria, Spanberger and Wexton. Everyone will be watching Virginia closely to see how the night shapes up. Republicans are heavily favored to win a majority, ending four years of Democratic control.
In the battle for the House, these three seats will offer key insights. At a minimum, Republicans are expected to flip Luria’s seat. The defeat of both Luria and Spanberger would likely mean a significant GOP cushion. But losses by all three incumbents could mark a wave election. President Joe Biden won all three districts in 2020. That they are competitive is a sign of the Democrats’ political position this cycle.
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