Klobuchar Leads Demuth in Minnesota Governor Race

A new poll shows Senator Amy Klobuchar holds a nine-point advantage over Lisa Demuth in the race for Minnesota governor.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections

Klobuchar Leads Demuth in Minnesota Governor Race

Live Poll

Do you trust Amy Klobuchar more than Lisa Demuth to handle government fraud in Minnesota?

Democratic candidate Amy Klobuchar holds 50% of likely voter support compared to 41% for Republican challenger Lisa Demuth. The Star Tribune/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll indicates a competitive dynamic remains in specific regions of the state.

Why it matters

The gubernatorial contest remains significant as the Republican Party attempts to secure the governor office for the first time since 2006. With fraud identified as a top concern, voters currently express more trust in Klobuchar to address the issue.

The Star Tribune/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll reports 50% support for Amy Klobuchar versus 41% for Lisa Demuth. Klobuchar currently maintains 45% support among voters in northern Minnesota.

The players

Amy Klobuchar

She is the Democratic candidate for governor and currently serves as a U.S. Senator for Minnesota.

Lisa Demuth

She is the Republican candidate challenging for the Minnesota gubernatorial seat.

The details

While Klobuchar shows strength in key regions, Lisa Demuth leads in southern Minnesota, highlighting a geographic split in candidate preference. Klobuchar has pledged to visit all 87 of Minnesota's counties as part of her campaign outreach.

2006 marked the last year a Republican candidate won the Minnesota governor race.
The gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place in November 2026.

Political Context

This election cycle marks another attempt by the Republican Party to end a streak of defeats that has persisted since the 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election. The opposition often frames the race as an opportunity to shift state leadership after two decades of Democratic control.

Voters across the state may see increased campaign activity as candidates work to secure support in all 87 counties. The focus on government fraud as a key issue suggests voters will closely scrutinize policies addressing administrative transparency.

The takeaway

Voters should track candidate visits to their specific county to better understand individual policy platforms before November 2026. Evaluating how each candidate addresses government fraud can provide insight into their respective governing priorities.