Today, Minnesota holds its primary election, a pivotal step in deciding next year’s state and congressional majorities. With all 134 seats in the state House of Representatives on the ballot this November and one special election for the Minnesota Senate, the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party’s (“DFL”) ability to maintain complete control of state government could be impacted by any number of primary contests. Additionally, with Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz now the Democratic nominee for Vice President, the state has innumerable “what if” scenarios in play before the start of the 2025 legislative session.
Eyes will be on Hennepin County as Congresswomen Ilhan Omar is set to rematch against former Minneapolis city councilman Don Samuels, while former State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart faces two primary challengers as she seeks to make her return to the Minnesota Legislature. Additionally, across the state, the conservative grass-roots organization known as Action 4 Liberty returns to the Republican primary scene as it aims to unseat numerous incumbents in the House of Representatives. Here’s a full list of primary contests to watch for on Tuesday.
Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District: Rep. Ilhan Omar vs Don Samuels
Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-5), a prominent member of the progressive coalition known as the “Squad,” faces a 2022 primary rematch against former Minneapolis city councilman Don Samuels. Rep. Omar has faced primary challengers every year since winning the election in 2018. However, Samuels came within 2,500 votes of unseating the outspoken Congresswomen in 2022. Fundraising favors Rep. Omar as she enters the final stretch of the primary with $680,000 on hand, while Samuels has just over $200,000. Not to be deterred, Samuels has seen a last-minute boost in donations, managing to raise $160,000 as of last Friday. Rep. Omar will go into Tuesday with her party’s official endorsement.
Senate District 45
In what is likely to be the most contested seat in November, the voters in Senate District 45 go to the polls today in a special election primary. Former Sen. Kelly Morrison (DFL – Deep Haven) resigned from office this summer after receiving the DFL endorsement in Minnesota’s third congressional district. Morrison sought the seat after current Congressman Dean Philips (MN-3) elected to run for president earlier this year.
However, the newly vacated senate seat has caused three DFL hopefuls to announce their candidacy, including former one-term Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart. Regarded for her expertise on infrastructure and transportation issues, Stewart sat on the Senate Transportation and Finance Committees during her two years in office. Emily Reitan, a Financial Analyst from Mound, Minnesota, managed to receive the endorsements of both Congressman Dean Philips and former federal Senator and SNL star Al Franken. Reitan has centered her platform on reproductive issues and clean water infrastructure. Kyle Jasper Meinen has also filed for the vacant seat. The Senate District 45 DFL did not endorse a candidate for this seat.
House District 10A: Ron Kresha vs Diane Webb-Skillings
First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2012, Rep. Ron Kresha (R – Little Falls) currently serves as the House minority lead on the Education Finance committee. Rep. Kresha is currently seeking his 7th term in office, however, he faces a primary challenge from conservative Diane Webb-Skillings. Backed by the grass-roots organization known as Action 4 Liberty, Webb-Skillings has received endorsements from the legislature’s most outspoken conservative members, such as Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R – Mezeppa) and Sen. Nathan Wessenberg (R – Little Falls). No official endorsement was given in this race.
House District 26B: Greg Davids vs Gary Steuart
Elected to the Minnesota House in 1991 and serving his 16th non-consecutive term, Rep. Greg Davids (R – Preston) faces a challenge from BPOU activist Gary Steuart. Formerly serving as the House Taxes chair, House Republicans have long relied on Rep. Davids’ policy expertise as he currently serves as the House Taxes minority lead. Long time BPOU activist and staunch supporter of term limits, Gary Steuart, aims to unseat the veteran legislator. Steuart was an early supporter of late Minnesota Congressman Jim Hagedorn and played an important role on the grass-roots side of the congressman’s campaign. Steuart was able to secure the endorsement over Rep. Davids.
House District 28A: Brian Johnson vs James Gordan
Also losing his party endorsement was Rep. Brian Johnson, (R – Cambridge), against Isanti Mayor James “Jimmy” Gordon. First elected in 2012, Rep. Johnson is a retired police officer who serves as the House Minority lead on the Housing Committee and serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee. Elected in 2022 as Mayor of Isanti, Mayor Gordon is small business owner and firefighter for the Isanti Fire District. Mayor Gordon was able to secure the endorsement over Rep. Johnson with the help of a small, but well organized, group of conservative activists.
