Women Secure All Major Party Nominations in Minnesota Primaries

Minnesota primary elections on August 12 resulted in a historic slate of female candidates, with women securing the major party nominations for both governor and U.S. Senate. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the gubernatorial nomination, defeating MyPillow founder Mike Lindell despite an endorsement for Lindell from Donald Trump. If elected, Demuth would become the first Black female governor in United States history. She will face Democratic-Farmer-Labor nominee U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in the general election.

In the race for the U.S. Senate, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the DFL nomination by defeating Representative Angie Craig. Flanagan will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya in November. Following her victory, Flanagan characterized the win as a victory for the many over the money. Critics have since highlighted Flanagan's support for the 2020 removal of a Christopher Columbus statue from the State Capitol and her critiques of systemic racism in policing, which opponents claim contributed to a rise in violent crime between 2020 and 2022.

Other Minnesota results included Republican nominations for Tad Jude for secretary of state, Scott Jensen for state auditor, and Ronald J. Schutz for attorney general, while DFL incumbents Steve Simon and Keith Ellison retained their nominations. In other states, South Carolina Republicans Darline Graham and Ralph Norman advanced to an August 25 runoff for a U.S. Senate seat, while the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin remained too close to call between David Crowley and Francesca Hong.