2026 Minnesota State Auditor election
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November 3, 2026
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The 2026 Minnesota State Auditor election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the state auditor of Minnesota. Incumbent auditor Julie Blaha announced in September 2025 that she is not seeking re-election.[1][2] Former Duluth City Council member Zack Filipovich is the DFL nominee to replace Blaha.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Zack Filipovich, accountant and former Duluth City Councilor (2014–2022)[3]
Eliminated at convention
Withdrawn
- Ben Schierer, former mayor of Fergus Falls (2017–2025) (running for lieutenant governor with Klobuchar)[6]
Declined
- Julie Blaha, incumbent state auditor (2019–present)[1][7]
Endorsements
Zack Filipovich
- Labor unions
- Minnesota AFL-CIO[8] [9]
- SEIU Minnesota State Council[10]
- Organizations
- Political parties
Adam Jennings (withdrawn)
Ben Schierer (withdrawn)
- U.S. representatives
- Collin Peterson, former MN-07 (1991–2021)[13]
- Statewide officials
- Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present)[14]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Zack Filipovich | 592,757 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 592,757 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Scott Jensen, former state senator from the 47th district (2017–2021) and nominee for governor in 2022[15]
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn
- Elliott Engen, state representative from District 36A (2023–present)[17] (withdrew to run for lieutenant governor before dropping out, ran for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives, then withdrew his re-election campaign)[18][19][20]
Endorsements
Nate George
- Political parties
Results
Jensen
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Jensen | 258,740 | 66.7 | |
| Republican | Nate George | 101,538 | 26.2 | |
| Republican | Will Finn | 27,440 | 7.1 | |
| Total votes | 387,718 | 100.0 | ||
Third-party candidates
Candidates
Declared
- Jay Reeves (Forward-Independence Party), Army veteran[22]
Endorsements
Jay Reeves
- Political parties
General Election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Zach Filipovich (DFL) |
Scott Jensen (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSTP/SurveyUSA[24] | August 13–August 17, 2026 | 661 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 39% | 39% | 3% | 19% |
| Primary elections are held | |||||||
References
- 1 2 "Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026". www.auditor.state.mn.us. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Skluzacek, Josh (September 4, 2025). "Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha says she won't seek reelection in 2026; state rep launches bid". KSTP-TV. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Former Duluth Councilor launches campaign for State Auditor". WDIO. November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "DFL ENDORSES ZACK FILIPOVICH FOR STATE AUDITOR". Minnesota DFL. May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Candidate Filings: State Auditor". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Klobuchar names Ben Schierer as running mate for Lt. Gov". kare11.com. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Julie Blaha, Minnesota state auditor, won't seek re-election in 2026 - CBS Minnesota". CBS News. September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Minnesota AFL-CIO endorses Zack Filipovich for State Auditor". Minnesota AFL-CIO. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
- ↑ "AFL-CIO 2026 Endorsements". AFL-CIO. AFL-CIO. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ "SEIU 2026 Endorsements". SEIU Minnesota State Council. April 3, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- 1 2 "Stonewall DFL 2026 Endorsements". Stonewall DFL. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Minnesota - UAW Endorsements". United Auto Workers.
- ↑ Sidian, Derek (September 5, 2025). "Former Fergus Falls Mayor Campaigning for State Auditor". Fergus Now. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ↑ Long, Hank (October 23, 2025). "GOP legislator Elliott Engen launches campaign for state auditor". Alpha News MN. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
Schierer is a longtime Democrat and has already been endorsed by Attorney General Keith Ellison.
- ↑ Morrell, Lydia (February 9, 2026). "Scott Jensen ends bid for Minnesota governor, announces run for state auditor instead". KARE 11. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ↑ Murray, Hope (September 10, 2025). "Braham Mayor seeks Republican endorsement for state auditor". moraminn.com. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ Skluzacek, Josh (October 23, 2025). "Republican Rep. Engen announces bid for Minnesota Auditor". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Candidate Filings: State Representative District 36A". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Paris, Ryan (June 4, 2026). ""This is not by my choice": Rep. Peggy Bennett announces end to campaign for MN governor". KTTC. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ Nick, Longworth (June 9, 2026). "GOP lawmaker charged with DWI last session no longer seeking reelection". KMSP. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Minnesota GOP Convention: Endorsement for a gubernatorial candidate set for Saturday". KAAL. May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
- ↑ Cox, Peter (November 17, 2025). "Third-party governor candidate Newcome enters Minnesota race with big personal money infusion". MPR News. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Forward Independence Candidates". Forward-Independence Party. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
- ↑ Skluzace, Josh (August 19, 2026). "KSTP/SurveyUSA poll: Early frontrunner in Secretary of State race, State Auditor neck and neck". KSTP. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
External links
Official campaign websites