2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Governor of Minnesota. Incumbent Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Governor Tim Walz has announced he will seek a second term.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Tim Walz, incumbent Governor and former U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district (2007–2019)^[1]^[2]
- Peggy Flanagan, incumbent Lieutenant Governor^[2]

Democratic candidates^[a]

Incumbent governor
Tim Walz
from
St. Paul^[3]

Potential[]

Al Franken, former U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2009–2018)^[4]

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Michelle Benson, state senator^[5]
Thomas Evensted, activist^[6]
Paul Gazelka, state senator and former majority leader of the Minnesota Senate^[7]^[5]^[8]
Scott Jensen, family medicine physician and former state senator^[9]^[10]
Sammy McCarty, activist^[6]
Mike Murphy, mayor of Lexington^[11]
Neil Shah, physician^[11]

Republican candidates^[a]

State senator
Michelle Benson
from
Ham Lake
State senator
Paul Gazelka
from
East Gull Lake
Former state senator
Scott Jensen
from
Chaska

^[12]^[13]

Publicly expressed interest[]

Kendall Qualls, Republican nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2020^[14]

Potential[]

Rob Barrett, businessman, activist and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2020^[15]
Jennifer Carnahan, former chair of the Minnesota Republican Party (2017–2021) and wife of U.S. Representative Jim Hagedorn^[16]
Karin Housley, state senator and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2018^[17]
Carla Nelson, state senator^[18]

Withdrawn[]

Mike Marti, businessman^[19]

Declined[]

Matt Birk, former Minnesota Vikings player^[20]^[21]
Mike Lindell, conservative businessman and inventor of My Pillow^[22]^[23]
Pete Stauber, U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 8th congressional district^[24]^[25]

Independents and others[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

James McCaskel^[12]
Brandon Millholland-Corcoran, resident of Jackson County^[26]

Independent candidates^[a]

Brandon W. Millholland-Corcoran
from
Jackson County

Publicly expressed interest[]

Tom Bakk, state senator and DFL candidate for governor in 2010^[27]
Richard Painter, University of Minnesota Law School professor, former chief White House ethics lawyer, and DFL candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018^[28]

Potential[]

Christopher Chamberlin, candidate for Governor, Senate, and House in 2018^[29]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[30]	Likely D	October 5, 2021
Inside Elections^[31]	Solid D	September 29, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[32]	Lean D	December 9, 2021

Polling[]

Tim Walz vs. Michelle Benson

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Michelle Benson (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	December 2–6, 2021	506 (LV)	± 5.1%	47%	35%	4%	14%

Tim Walz vs. Paul Gazelka

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Paul Gazelka (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	December 2–6, 2021	506 (LV)	± 5.1%	47%	34%	5%	14%

Tim Walz vs. Scott Jensen

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Scott Jensen (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	December 2–6, 2021	506 (LV)	± 5.1%	48%	36%	5%	11%

Tim Walz vs. Mike Marti

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Mike Marti (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	December 2–6, 2021	506 (LV)	± 5.1%	47%	34%	3%	15%

Tim Walz vs. Mike Murphy

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Mike Murphy (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	December 2–6, 2021	506 (LV)	± 5.1%	47%	36%	5%	12%

Tim Walz vs. Neil Shah

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Neil Shah (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	December 2–6, 2021	506 (LV)	± 5.1%	48%	31%	5%	16%

Hypothetical polling

Tim Walz vs. generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tim Walz (DFL)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Change Research (D)	August 28–31, 2021	1,945 (RV)	± 2.5%	46%	44%	10%

Notes[]

^ ^a ^b ^c The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

References[]

^ "Preparing For Re-Election Push, Walz Campaign Announces It's Hiring Staff, Breaking Fundraising Records". WCCO-TV. 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
^ ^a ^b "Gov. Walz makes it official: He's running for a second term". MPR News.
^ "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov.
^ Lenker, George (2021-09-13). "Former US Sen. Al Franken talks political downfall, return to comedy". masslive. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
^ ^a ^b "Benson running for Minnesota governor; Gazelka resigns as majority leader". KIMT News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
^ ^a ^b Bourke, Theresa (September 13, 2021). "Scott Jensen visits Brainerd, addresses anti-mask supporters at NP Center". Brainerd Dispatch. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^ "Gazelka on run for governor: "I'm at least considering it."". WCCO. February 8, 2021.
^ "Gazelka enters race for governor". MPR News. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
^ Montemayor, Stephen (2020-04-20). "As Minnesota senator cast doubt on COVID-19 death tolls, conspiracy theorists pounced online". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
^ Lopez, Ricardo. "Scott Jensen, former GOP lawmaker and COVID-19 skeptic, announcing run for governor". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
^ ^a ^b Pugmire, Tim (December 8, 2021). "Five GOP candidates for governor say they've had COVID-19". MPR News. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Dryden, Dené (September 8, 2021). "Sen. Gazelka Stops in St. Cloud Hours After Announcing Gubernatorial Campaign". KNSI. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
^ "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov.
^ Van Oot, Torey (November 24, 2021), "Former congressional candidate Kendall Qualls weighs run for Minnesota governor", Axios, retrieved November 24, 2021
^ "Home". Rob Barrett, Jr.
^ Desmond, Declan. "Ousted MN GOP chair mulls return to politics, possible run for governor". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
^ Montemayor, Stephen (2020-01-23). "MyPillow inventor open to speculation about 2022 bid for Minnesota governor". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
^ Keen, Judy (August 22, 2019). "Jason Lewis to challenge Tina Smith for U.S. Senate seat". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
^ "Mike Marti to Suspend Campaign for Governor". Facebook.com. Mike Marti. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021. Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign. While I have enjoyed campaigning across our beautiful state and getting to know so many of the delegates, I feel it is best at this time to suspend my campaign for Governor.
^ "Former Viking Matt Birk having early conversations about Minnesota Gubernatorial run". WCCO. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
^ Jensen, Scott [@drscottjensen] (April 25, 2021). "We're so honored to have Vikings legend and Super Bowl Champion @BirkMatt and Adrianna Birk join our growing team! They will become our campaign chairs and help us shape education in Minnesota. We couldn't be more thrilled! JOIN our WINNING Team: t.co/lgi6f9NIVp #MNGov t.co/OdWUvp3ZkM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
^ Stephen Montemayor (January 3, 2021). "GOP field for 2022 Minnesota governor's race already taking shape". StarTribune.
^ Nelson, Joe. "On Kimmel, MyPillow's Lindell says 'I wouldn't run for dogcatcher right now'". Bring Me The News.
^ Condon, Patrick (February 20, 2021). "Rep. Stauber 'keeping all options open' regarding Minnesota governor bid". Star Tribune.
^ "Republican Rep. Pete Stauber says he won't run for Minnesota governor in 2022". KSTP-TV. 2021-03-13. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
^ Schuetz, Joshua. "Jackson man running for governor | Jackson County Pilot". www.jacksoncountypilot.com. Livewire. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ "After decamping from Senate DFL, Bakk finds himself back in the middle of state politics". February 11, 2021.
^ Painter, Richard [@RWPUSA] (March 15, 2021). "Minnesota's government has been corrupted by money. Sulfide mining companies want to destroy the Lake Superior watershed and Boundary Waters. @Tim_Walz won't stop them. That's why I'm exploring an independent reform ticket run for governor. We're fed up! t.co/GJ5bEtPiNJ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
^ "Christopher Chamberlin". Ballotpedia.
^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

External links[]

Official campaign websites

[disclaimer-3] The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.

[Key-34] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[1] "Preparing For Re-Election Push, Walz Campaign Announces It's Hiring Staff, Breaking Fundraising Records". WCCO-TV. 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-06-28.

[walz_running-2] "Gov. Walz makes it official: He's running for a second term". MPR News.

[walz-4] "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov.

[5] Lenker, George (2021-09-13). "Former US Sen. Al Franken talks political downfall, return to comedy". masslive. Retrieved 2021-09-14.

[auto-6] "Benson running for Minnesota governor; Gazelka resigns as majority leader". KIMT News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.

[brainerd-7] Bourke, Theresa (September 13, 2021). "Scott Jensen visits Brainerd, addresses anti-mask supporters at NP Center". Brainerd Dispatch. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.

[8] "Gazelka on run for governor: "I'm at least considering it."". WCCO. February 8, 2021.

[9] "Gazelka enters race for governor". MPR News. Retrieved 2021-09-08.

[10] Montemayor, Stephen (2020-04-20). "As Minnesota senator cast doubt on COVID-19 death tolls, conspiracy theorists pounced online". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-04-23.

[11] Lopez, Ricardo. "Scott Jensen, former GOP lawmaker and COVID-19 skeptic, announcing run for governor". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2021-03-09.

[covid-12] Pugmire, Tim (December 8, 2021). "Five GOP candidates for governor say they've had COVID-19". MPR News. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.

[stcloud-13] Dryden, Dené (September 8, 2021). "Sen. Gazelka Stops in St. Cloud Hours After Announcing Gubernatorial Campaign". KNSI. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.

[jensen-14] "Candidates". cfb.mn.gov.

[15] Van Oot, Torey (November 24, 2021), "Former congressional candidate Kendall Qualls weighs run for Minnesota governor", Axios, retrieved November 24, 2021

[16] "Home". Rob Barrett, Jr.

[17] Desmond, Declan. "Ousted MN GOP chair mulls return to politics, possible run for governor". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 2021-09-08.

[:0-18] Montemayor, Stephen (2020-01-23). "MyPillow inventor open to speculation about 2022 bid for Minnesota governor". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-01-24.

[19] Keen, Judy (August 22, 2019). "Jason Lewis to challenge Tina Smith for U.S. Senate seat". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-04-26.

[20] "Mike Marti to Suspend Campaign for Governor". Facebook.com. Mike Marti. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021. Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign. While I have enjoyed campaigning across our beautiful state and getting to know so many of the delegates, I feel it is best at this time to suspend my campaign for Governor.

[21] "Former Viking Matt Birk having early conversations about Minnesota Gubernatorial run". WCCO. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-05.

[22] Jensen, Scott [@drscottjensen] (April 25, 2021). "We're so honored to have Vikings legend and Super Bowl Champion @BirkMatt and Adrianna Birk join our growing team! They will become our campaign chairs and help us shape education in Minnesota. We couldn't be more thrilled! JOIN our WINNING Team: t.co/lgi6f9NIVp #MNGov t.co/OdWUvp3ZkM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Twitter.

[23] Stephen Montemayor (January 3, 2021). "GOP field for 2022 Minnesota governor's race already taking shape". StarTribune.

[24] Nelson, Joe. "On Kimmel, MyPillow's Lindell says 'I wouldn't run for dogcatcher right now'". Bring Me The News.

[25] Condon, Patrick (February 20, 2021). "Rep. Stauber 'keeping all options open' regarding Minnesota governor bid". Star Tribune.

[26] "Republican Rep. Pete Stauber says he won't run for Minnesota governor in 2022". KSTP-TV. 2021-03-13. Retrieved 2021-03-14.

[27] Schuetz, Joshua. "Jackson man running for governor | Jackson County Pilot". www.jacksoncountypilot.com. Livewire. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[28] "After decamping from Senate DFL, Bakk finds himself back in the middle of state politics". February 11, 2021.

[29] Painter, Richard [@RWPUSA] (March 15, 2021). "Minnesota's government has been corrupted by money. Sulfide mining companies want to destroy the Lake Superior watershed and Boundary Waters. @Tim_Walz won't stop them. That's why I'm exploring an independent reform ticket run for governor. We're fed up! t.co/GJ5bEtPiNJ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Twitter.

[30] "Christopher Chamberlin". Ballotpedia.

[Cook_PR-31] "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-32] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-33] "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

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2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Contents

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Potential[]

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Publicly expressed interest[]

Potential[]

Withdrawn[]

Declined[]

Independents and others[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Publicly expressed interest[]

Potential[]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Polling[]

See also[]

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]