2026 Minnesota Voter Guide

As a U.S. Senator, Amy Klobuchar has built a reputation as a common-sense leader who delivers results for Minnesota. In 2026, voters have the opportunity to elect Klobuchar as governor and deliver the same spirit of focus, determination, and progress to St. Paul. A leading advocate for gun safety legislation, Klobuchar helped author the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to close the boyfriend loophole and prohibit convicted stalkers and abusive partners from purchasing and owning firearms. Electing Klobuchar as governor and Ben Schierer as lieutenant governor prioritizes government accountability, a supported workforce, making the right investments in economic development, a robust education system, and increased gun safety measures.

Keith Ellison boasts over 20 years of public service and community organization in Minnesota. In 2007, he became the first African American representative from Minnesota and the first Muslim elected to Congress. During his current term as attorney general, Ellison has shown an unwavering commitment to gun violence prevention measures. He supported legislation to close ghost gun loopholes, sued Glock, Inc., for creating and selling handguns that can be converted easily into machine guns, and secured a sizable settlement from Minnesota gun dealer Fleet Farm for illegally selling firearms to straw buyers.

Liz Boldon has spent her life caring for our most vulnerable Minnesotans as an educator, an ICU nurse, a state Representative, and now a state Senator. Since 2022, she’s fought for Rochester and Olmsted County in the state Senate, championing gun violence prevention measures, including safe storage requirements, expanded background checks, and investments in community‑based violence prevention strategies. And Boldon is just getting started – she’s fighting to return to the state Senate for another term in 2026, to push for evidence‑based policies that reduce harm and keep families safe, including a ban on assault weapons at point of sale, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and a ghost guns ban.

Committed to working toward safe schools, communities, and homes, state Senator Bonnie Westlin is a champion for gun safety legislation like the Extreme Risk Protection Order law she co-authored, that allows family members and law enforcement to intervene and temporarily disarm an individual who poses a threat to themselves or others. Westlin knows that we can save so many more lives when we invest in evidence-based solutions to gun violence.

Dan Kessler will bring his experience as a psychologist, healthcare advocate, small business owner, parent, and community member to represent the voices of families across Senate District 48. He knows Minnesota families should not have to wait for the next tragedy before leaders act, which is why he supports common-sense gun safety legislation including safeguards on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, investments in school safety, support for Red Flag laws, and action on ghost guns and binary triggers. Carver County families deserve leaders like Kessler who are willing to act and show real leadership to keep our community safe.

Rick Olson is a dedicated and experienced leader with a background spanning law, business, education, and public service; he brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to serving the community. Olson believes that leadership is about service, which is why he has spent his career in both public and private sectors helping others, and now he sees running for the Minnesota Senate as his next step in giving back. He is committed to protecting the state’s high quality of life, strong education system, thriving businesses, and natural resources. Olson is eager to get to work to find solutions to protect and strengthen them for future generations.

State Senator Lindsey Port is committed to keeping our families safe. Port supports life-saving gun safety legislation to ensure the well-being of her community, including measures to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals convicted of hate crimes, Red Flag laws, investing in public safety, strengthening anti-gun trafficking laws, and raising the minimum age to purchase firearms. Lindsey Port can be trusted to fight for Minnesotans by pushing for gun violence prevention laws.

Voters made history when they elected Erin Maye Quade to both the Minnesota state House and state Senate. In 2016, Maye Quade was the only Democrat to flip a Minnesota state House seat. She is also a part of the first cohort of Black women, as well as the first openly queer woman, to serve in the Minnesota state Senate—a feat she accomplished after delivering a campaign speech while in active labor. During her time in public service, she has maintained an impressive commitment to improving childhood literacy and child care, protecting reproductive rights, serving veterans, safeguarding children online, and eliminating gun violence. After the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in 2018, she led a 24-hour sit-in on the Minnesota House floor to protest a lack of action on gun safety legislation. She was also a key advocate for a historic gun safety bill that expanded the scope of background checks and established Red Flag laws that allow for temporary removal of firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others.

Proven civic leader Tracey Breazeale knows everyone should feel safe at school, at home, and in their communities. She supports common-sense gun safety legislation like limiting magazine capacity, banning assault weapons, and increasing reporting of lost or stolen firearms. Breazeale is a staunch supporter of secure storage, as well as improving crisis response resources and access to mental healthcare, which are critical to reducing gun violence. She is running for the Minnesota House to be a leader who will advocate for her community, stand up for what is right, and protect Minnesotans.

Being a mother guides Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn’s devotion to improving the lives of working families. A volunteer for Moms Demand Action since 2018, she is a founding member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus and has dedicated her time in office to protecting the rights of women and children. In her four terms as representative for the southwestern Twin Cities, she has proposed legislation to increase funding for day care and early childhood education services; authored the Protect Reproductive Options Act, which safeguards access to abortion, contraception, and family planning services; and introduced legislation to ban forever chemicals in children’s products. She has earned the Gun Sense Candidate distinction in all five of her campaigns for her support of gun violence prevention measures.

Julie Greene believes that the future of Minnesota depends on innovation, collaboration, and strong communities. Her career began in public relations in Chicago, where she focused on fortifying healthcare, education, children’s advocacy, and nutrition in her local community. Later, as a volunteer in the public school system and as vice chair of the Edina School Board, she channeled her efforts into bolstering public school funding and advocating for teachers. Greene has worked with Moms Demand Action since 2020 and is a graduate of Demand a Seat, Everytown’s program to build a pipeline of gun safety advocates to run for elected office.

A resident of Dakota County for more than 30 years, Representative Mary Frances Clardy is keenly aware of what her neighbors in District 53A face every day. With her background as an educator, she is known for being rooted in the hopes and concerns of her community and standing in solidarity when they call for action. She knows that Minnesotans deserve to know where their legislators stand on protecting our kids, which is why she supports comprehensive gun violence prevention packages and banning assault weapons. Re-electing Rep. Clardy allows her to continue serving as a relentless advocate for the hardworking families in our community.

In 2026, voters have the chance to flip District 57B for Brian Cohn. A longtime resident of Lakeville, Cohn has volunteered with Moms Demand Action since 2023 and is a graduate of the Demand a Seat training program. He has also worked with the Lakeville Lions Club to organize food and blood drives and provide free health screenings. Cohn understands that public service is about solving problems. He brings a multifaceted career as a consultant, engineer, and project and product manager to his work for Lakeville, where he hopes to strengthen local schools and protect the rights and freedoms of Lakeville residents.

As a U.S. Senator, Amy Klobuchar has built a reputation as a common-sense leader who delivers results for Minnesota. In 2026, voters have the opportunity to elect Klobuchar as governor and deliver the same spirit of focus, determination, and progress to St. Paul. A leading advocate for gun safety legislation, Klobuchar helped author the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to close the boyfriend loophole and prohibit convicted stalkers and abusive partners from purchasing and owning firearms. Electing Klobuchar as governor and Ben Schierer as lieutenant governor prioritizes government accountability, a supported workforce, making the right investments in economic development, a robust education system, and increased gun safety measures.

Keith Ellison boasts over 20 years of public service and community organization in Minnesota. In 2007, he became the first African American representative from Minnesota and the first Muslim elected to Congress. During his current term as attorney general, Ellison has shown an unwavering commitment to gun violence prevention measures. He supported legislation to close ghost gun loopholes, sued Glock, Inc., for creating and selling handguns that can be converted easily into machine guns, and secured a sizable settlement from Minnesota gun dealer Fleet Farm for illegally selling firearms to straw buyers.

Liz Boldon has spent her life caring for our most vulnerable Minnesotans as an educator, an ICU nurse, a state Representative, and now a state Senator. Since 2022, she’s fought for Rochester and Olmsted County in the state Senate, championing gun violence prevention measures, including safe storage requirements, expanded background checks, and investments in community‑based violence prevention strategies. And Boldon is just getting started – she’s fighting to return to the state Senate for another term in 2026, to push for evidence‑based policies that reduce harm and keep families safe, including a ban on assault weapons at point of sale, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and a ghost guns ban.

Committed to working toward safe schools, communities, and homes, state Senator Bonnie Westlin is a champion for gun safety legislation like the Extreme Risk Protection Order law she co-authored, that allows family members and law enforcement to intervene and temporarily disarm an individual who poses a threat to themselves or others. Westlin knows that we can save so many more lives when we invest in evidence-based solutions to gun violence.

Dan Kessler will bring his experience as a psychologist, healthcare advocate, small business owner, parent, and community member to represent the voices of families across Senate District 48. He knows Minnesota families should not have to wait for the next tragedy before leaders act, which is why he supports common-sense gun safety legislation including safeguards on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, investments in school safety, support for Red Flag laws, and action on ghost guns and binary triggers. Carver County families deserve leaders like Kessler who are willing to act and show real leadership to keep our community safe.

Rick Olson is a dedicated and experienced leader with a background spanning law, business, education, and public service; he brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to serving the community. Olson believes that leadership is about service, which is why he has spent his career in both public and private sectors helping others, and now he sees running for the Minnesota Senate as his next step in giving back. He is committed to protecting the state’s high quality of life, strong education system, thriving businesses, and natural resources. Olson is eager to get to work to find solutions to protect and strengthen them for future generations.

State Senator Lindsey Port is committed to keeping our families safe. Port supports life-saving gun safety legislation to ensure the well-being of her community, including measures to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals convicted of hate crimes, Red Flag laws, investing in public safety, strengthening anti-gun trafficking laws, and raising the minimum age to purchase firearms. Lindsey Port can be trusted to fight for Minnesotans by pushing for gun violence prevention laws.

Voters made history when they elected Erin Maye Quade to both the Minnesota state House and state Senate. In 2016, Maye Quade was the only Democrat to flip a Minnesota state House seat. She is also a part of the first cohort of Black women, as well as the first openly queer woman, to serve in the Minnesota state Senate—a feat she accomplished after delivering a campaign speech while in active labor. During her time in public service, she has maintained an impressive commitment to improving childhood literacy and child care, protecting reproductive rights, serving veterans, safeguarding children online, and eliminating gun violence. After the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in 2018, she led a 24-hour sit-in on the Minnesota House floor to protest a lack of action on gun safety legislation. She was also a key advocate for a historic gun safety bill that expanded the scope of background checks and established Red Flag laws that allow for temporary removal of firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others.

Proven civic leader Tracey Breazeale knows everyone should feel safe at school, at home, and in their communities. She supports common-sense gun safety legislation like limiting magazine capacity, banning assault weapons, and increasing reporting of lost or stolen firearms. Breazeale is a staunch supporter of secure storage, as well as improving crisis response resources and access to mental healthcare, which are critical to reducing gun violence. She is running for the Minnesota House to be a leader who will advocate for her community, stand up for what is right, and protect Minnesotans.

Being a mother guides Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn’s devotion to improving the lives of working families. A volunteer for Moms Demand Action since 2018, she is a founding member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus and has dedicated her time in office to protecting the rights of women and children. In her four terms as representative for the southwestern Twin Cities, she has proposed legislation to increase funding for day care and early childhood education services; authored the Protect Reproductive Options Act, which safeguards access to abortion, contraception, and family planning services; and introduced legislation to ban forever chemicals in children’s products. She has earned the Gun Sense Candidate distinction in all five of her campaigns for her support of gun violence prevention measures.

Julie Greene believes that the future of Minnesota depends on innovation, collaboration, and strong communities. Her career began in public relations in Chicago, where she focused on fortifying healthcare, education, children’s advocacy, and nutrition in her local community. Later, as a volunteer in the public school system and as vice chair of the Edina School Board, she channeled her efforts into bolstering public school funding and advocating for teachers. Greene has worked with Moms Demand Action since 2020 and is a graduate of Demand a Seat, Everytown’s program to build a pipeline of gun safety advocates to run for elected office.

A resident of Dakota County for more than 30 years, Representative Mary Frances Clardy is keenly aware of what her neighbors in District 53A face every day. With her background as an educator, she is known for being rooted in the hopes and concerns of her community and standing in solidarity when they call for action. She knows that Minnesotans deserve to know where their legislators stand on protecting our kids, which is why she supports comprehensive gun violence prevention packages and banning assault weapons. Re-electing Rep. Clardy allows her to continue serving as a relentless advocate for the hardworking families in our community.

In 2026, voters have the chance to flip District 57B for Brian Cohn. A longtime resident of Lakeville, Cohn has volunteered with Moms Demand Action since 2023 and is a graduate of the Demand a Seat training program. He has also worked with the Lakeville Lions Club to organize food and blood drives and provide free health screenings. Cohn understands that public service is about solving problems. He brings a multifaceted career as a consultant, engineer, and project and product manager to his work for Lakeville, where he hopes to strengthen local schools and protect the rights and freedoms of Lakeville residents.