Politics Friday

Politics Friday: A debate, candidate conversations fill out a two-hour show as election nears

Four images show candidates and voting, discussions featured on Politics Friday.
On this edition of Politics Friday, MPR Politics editor Brian Bakst talks with the candidates for governor, we host a debate between candidates for Secretary of State, and run down what you need to know before you head to the polls.
Photos by Carly Danek, Matt Alvarez and Paul Middlestaedt
2026 Election HubYour ballot, voting information and the latest updates

Closing argument time is here for candidates working to lock in Minnesota votes in a year with a lot on the line.

Friday at noon, we’ll host the latest in our series of debates. This one features the contenders for secretary of state. We'll also hear from the candidates running for state auditor — a contest guaranteed to deliver a new officeholder next year.

And in the governor’s race, our “In Your Backyard” series takes a closer look at what influenced the major-party nominees. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst met with gubernatorial candidates Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth in places that helped shape their lives and political journeys.

Guests:

  • Steve Simon is Minnesota Secretary of State and the DFL incumbent running for reelection.

  • Tad Jude is the Republican candidate running for Minnesota Secretary of State.

  • Amy Klobuchar is a U.S. senator and the DFL nominee for governor.

  • Lisa Demuth is the Minnesota Speaker of the House and the Republican nominee for governor.

  • Scott Jensen is a former member of the Minnesota Senate and the Republican state auditor candidate.

  • Zack Filipovich is an accountant and the DFL state auditor candidate.

  • Jay Reeves is an Army veteran and the Forward Independence Party state auditor candidate.

  • Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.

  • Peter Cox is a senior politics reporter for MPR News.

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