Welcome to MinnPost’s 2022 election central page. It’s a big midterm year, with the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, all 201 legislators and all eight members of Congress on the ballot — plus, some high-profile local races in the Twin Cities metro. Here, you can catch up on all you need to know before Election Day on Nov. 8. Scroll for stories by contest and issue, updated as they’re published.
First, need a refresh on what’s at stake Tuesday? We’ve got you covered. Have questions about voting? Look no further. Want to read some Election Day profiles of voters from our reporters in the field? Here you go. How about some live updates from our team all Election Day and into the night? Done.
Governor 2022
On Nov. 8, DFL Gov. Tim Walz faces a fight for reelection against Republican nominee Scott Jensen.
- Why the GOP lost in the suburbs – Minnesota’s largest voting bloc
- How every Minnesota city and township voted for governor in 2022
- How Walz won Minnesota governor’s contest against Jensen in charts
- Walz wins as Jensen’s counterpunch on crime, inflation didn’t appear to work in suburbs
- Walz, Jensen say they were called to serve Minnesota from classroom, doc’s office
- Walz-Jensen race for Minnesota governor closes where it started: COVID-19
- Former Gov. Jesse Ventura endorses DFLer Tim Walz for reelection in Minnesota
- Tepid reactions from Crockett, Jensen as Trump endorses their Minnesota campaigns
- Walz, Jensen trade talking points and rehearsed zingers in penultimate debate
- MinnPost poll: DFLer Walz has slight edge over GOP’s Jensen in close Minnesota governor’s race
Congressional races 2022
All eight of Minnesota’s congressional seats are up for election this November. The most ink is being spilled on two of them: the 2nd District, a rematch between Democratic Rep. Angie Craig and GOP contender Tyler Kistner, which is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in the country; and the 1st District, where GOP Rep. Brad Finstad, who won a special election to replace the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn, faces Democrat Jeff Ettinger.
- Minnesota returns all incumbents to Congress as Craig beats Kistner in ‘purple’ 2nd District
- Despite millions of dollars spent and vigorous campaigning, Craig/Kistner race remains stubborn dead heat
- Despite civil tone of race, Finstad and Ettinger locked in hard-fought contest
- MinnPost poll: Minnesotans prefer congressional candidate who would be a ‘check’ on Biden; Omar unpopular statewide
- Minnesota’s congressional candidates enter final stretch flush with political cash
- If U.S. House flips, Minnesota lawmakers would face dramatic shifts in power
- Emmer voted against infrastructure bill, then sought its funding for Minnesota highway project
- Defeating a Minnesota member of Congress is a long-shot, but some are willing to try
- What the Latino vote means in this November’s election
- Dems think abortion is a winning issue, but will it lead to House wins in Minnesota’s swing districts?
Legislature 2022
After redistricting, all 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature are up for reelection. Currently, the Minnesota House is held by the DFL, while the Senate is held by Republicans. Each party will fight to keep control of the body they already control and hopes to gain control of the other.
- DFL wins control of Minnesota Senate; House for first trifecta since 2014
- Police association endorsements among most coveted, controversial in Minnesota politics
- Abeler-Rehrauer contest northwest of Twin Cities among 10 legislative races to watch in suburbs
- A former mayor and cop in Austin looks to win back lost DFL ground in Greater Minnesota
- Election mail check: Exaggerated abortion, gas tax claims common in Minnesota legislative races
- Will the Iron Range finally go red? Control of Legislature could hinge on 7 seats in northeastern Minnesota
- The 20 Minnesota legislative races to watch in 2022
- DFLer-turned-independent Tom Bakk endorses 2 Democrats in key House races
- Battle for the Minnesota Legislature pits abortion rights against inflation, crime
- Small but mighty showing for anti-establishment GOP candidates in Minnesota primary
Attorney general 2022
Polling suggests Minnesota’s attorney general race could be a close one. Incumbent AG Keith Ellison, a DFLer, faces GOP nominee Jim Schultz.
- Ellison, Blaha win narrowly for AG and auditor; Simon headed to 3rd term
- Issue scramble: Why Ellison, Schultz are talking eggs in attorney general’s race
- How policing, police reform became defining issues in Keith Ellison’s reelection campaign
- Minnesota lawyers, companies, help fund super PACs running attack ads in attorney general’s race
- As Jim Schultz looks to expand attorney general power to fight crime, would state law let him?
- Anti-abortion MAGA fan Wardlow looks to spoil AG primary for GOP, Schultz
- Walz and Simon opt out of campaign public funds program; Ellison opts in
- For the record: Where do Walz and Ellison stand on abortion?
- Why Attorney General Keith Ellison is getting pushback at the Legislature for a plan to help prosecutors in Greater Minnesota
Secretary of state 2022
The Secretary of State’s role in running elections has become more high-profile in the wake of false notions held by some that the 2020 outcome was rigged. In the November election, incumbent DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon faces GOP nominee Kim Crockett.
Auditor 2022
Incumbent DFL state auditor Julie Blaha faces GOP challenger Ryan Wilson in the November election.
Public Safety
Public safety has emerged as a major campaign issue at all levels of government — from local races to state and Congressional. Increasing crime rates and stories of seemingly brazen and violent acts have made this a centerpiece of GOP campaigns.
- Recruitment, retention and role in community among focuses for new St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry
- Police association endorsements among most coveted, controversial in Minnesota politics
- Brooklyn Center to vote on charter amendment to stifle mayor’s emergency powers
- MinnPost poll: Violent crime among top concerns of voters in upcoming election
- St. Paul police chief finalists discuss tackling crime wave and improving community trust at forum
- Gun violence, policing dominate Hennepin County attorney candidate forum
- Anti-abortion MAGA fan Wardlow looks to spoil AG primary for GOP, Schultz
- Walz celebrates traffic stops in Twin Cities crime reduction effort — but says they’re not for minor infractions
- Why are wealthier Minneapolis neighborhoods receiving extra police patrols?
- Meet the Hennepin County Attorney candidate: Mary Moriarty
Abortion and the overturning of Roe
Abortion became a major election issue after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. DFLers are making it a centerpiece of their campaigns, especially in crucial suburban districts. Republicans say public safety and inflation are more top-of-mind for voters.
- What a governor, state lawmakers can and can’t do to restrict abortion in Minnesota
- MinnPost poll: In wake of Dobbs ruling, Minnesotans remain supportive of abortion rights in many cases
- Overturning of Roe v. Wade pushes Minnesotans to consider long-term life contraception decisions
- Ramsey County judge’s ruling on abortion is a win for those seeking easier access to the medical procedure
- Why Minnesota Republicans might be hesitant to push abortion constitutional amendment
- Handful of DFLers who oppose abortion could be key to DFL keeping MN House control
- Does Minnesota law have a ‘viability’ threshold limiting abortion? Well, that depends
- For the record: Where do Walz and Ellison stand on abortion?
- So, does the overturning of Roe help Democrats or Republicans come November?
- MinnPost poll reveals two-thirds of Minnesotans oppose ban on abortions
Campaign finance 2022
Money can’t buy you love but it can buy you ads. Which candidates are ahead in the money race? And which political committees are shelling out big money in independent expenditures?
- DFL-associated Alliance for a Better Minnesota is 2022’s top independent political funder
- Minnesota’s congressional candidates enter final stretch flush with political cash
- DFL-supporting independent expenditure campaigns far outraise GOP and candidates in Minnesota
- 2022 Campaign Finance Dashboard
- Walz and Simon opt out of campaign public funds program; Ellison opts in
Hennepin County Attorney 2022
Hennepin County has a high-profile county attorney race and a sheriff contest on the November ballot. In the county attorney race, Martha Holton Dimick and Mary Moriarty are facing off to replace longtime top prosecutor Mike Freeman. After Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson announced he would not seek reelection following a drunken driving arrest, the county’s top cop job is open. Joseph Banks and Dawanna Witt are vying to win it.
- How Moriarty won the race for Hennepin County Attorney
- How every city in Hennepin County voted for county attorney
- Moriarty is new Hennepin County attorney; Witt the next sheriff
- Supporters of Holton Dimick and Moriarty on who they support for Hennepin County attorney and why
- A look at fundraising in Hennepin County contests one week before Election Day
- Gun violence, policing dominate Hennepin County attorney candidate forum
- Meet the Hennepin County Attorney candidate: Mary Moriarty
- Meet the Hennepin County Attorney candidate: Martha Holton Dimick
2022 polling
MinnPost conducted statewide opinion polls in early June and October, gauging Minnesota voters’ views on the candidates, as well as issues like abortion, public safety and inflation.
- MinnPost poll: Minnesotans prefer congressional candidate who would be a ‘check’ on Biden; Omar unpopular statewide
- MinnPost poll: Suburban voters now have more negative outlook on DFLers, Minnesota’s direction
- MinnPost poll: Inflation, abortion, crime top Minnesota voters’ priorities
- MinnPost poll: In wake of Dobbs ruling, Minnesotans remain supportive of abortion rights in many cases
- MinnPost poll: Majority of Minnesotans support legalization of hemp and marijuana-derived edibles
- MinnPost poll: Ellison, Schultz tied weeks before Minnesota election for attorney general
- MinnPost poll: DFLer Walz has slight edge over GOP’s Jensen in close Minnesota governor’s race
- Poll: Walz holds slight edge over Republican Scott Jensen among Minnesota voters
Other 2022 election
- Sunday liquor in city limits? Ice arena sales tax? A list of every local ballot question in Minnesota
- Brooklyn Center to vote on charter amendment to stifle mayor’s emergency powers
- Hennepin County sheriff candidates lay out priorities ahead of election
- MinnPost poll: Violent crime among top concerns of voters in upcoming election
- MinnPost poll: Suburban voters now have more negative outlook on DFLers, Minnesota’s direction
- MinnPost poll: Inflation, abortion, crime top Minnesota voters’ priorities
- MinnPost poll: Majority of Minnesotans support legalization of hemp and marijuana-derived edibles
- Voter registrations, ‘energy’ spike for this midterm election
- The state of 2022 early voting in Minnesota: It’s not 2020 anymore
- Brooklyn Park mayoral candidates offer different approaches to address crime
