Who is Amy Klobuchar and what is Klobuchar running on in the 2026 Minnesota Governor race?

Amy Klobuchar is the Democratic candidate for Minnesota governor. US Senator from Minnesota since 2007; former Hennepin County Attorney; 2020 presidential candidate; won Aug 2026 DFL primary with about 89%. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Open seat (Gov. Tim Walz abandoned his re-election bid in Jan 2026 amid fraud scrutiny).
• Rating: Likely D (Decision Desk HQ, Sept 30, 2026).
• Polling: Klobuchar 47, Demuth 40 (SurveyUSA, Sept 16, 2026); co/efficient Sept 15: Klobuchar 47, Demuth 45.

Why Klobuchar is ahead

• Klobuchar has led every poll listed, though the margin narrowed from 16 points in August to 2 to 7 points in mid-September.
• Klobuchar is a well-known three-term senator with a large money advantage ($9.3M raised by July) over Demuth.
• She has addressed the fraud scandal directly with a Day 1 top-to-bottom audit pledge.
• Demuth’s opening: she beat the Trump-endorsed Mike Lindell and is running on the fraud issue and tax cuts.

What Klobuchar is running on

• Fraud / government. Promises a Day 1 top-to-bottom audit of state government and to jail those who steal taxpayer money.
• Trump. Says Minnesota needs a governor who won’t be a rubber stamp for Trump’s administration.
• Cost of living / economy. Campaigns on lowering costs and growing the economy.
• Bipartisanship. Wants to find common ground and fix things in Minnesota.

In Klobuchar’s own words

“On Day 1, I’ll launch a top-to-bottom audit of state government to root out the waste and the fraud and the abuse.”

“We need a governor who is going to put Minnesotans first, not be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump or anyone else.”

The other candidates

• Lisa Demuth (R)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.