DFLers met in Rochester and Republicans in Duluth this weekend to endorse candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and other statewide races before the Aug. 11 primary. 

In Duluth, Qualls secured the GOP endorsement for governor after a 10-ballot marathon marked by voting glitches, while Schwarze won the GOP endorsement for U.S. Senate. In Rochester, Flanagan won the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate despite facing a primary challenge, and Klobuchar won the DFL endorsement for governor.


Two images of past political conventions.

Erica Dischino for MPR News, Matthew Alvarez | MPR News

Dana Ferguson

Businessman Kendall Qualls locked in the GOP endorsement for governor after a grueling battle with House Speaker Lisa Demuth and others.


Minnesota political conventions 2026: DFL, GOP pick candidates

Carly Danek for MPR News

Qualls secures GOP endorsement for governor in 10-ballot marathon plagued by glitches

Businessman Kendall Qualls is within a whisker of becoming the GOP endorsed candidate for governor but House Speaker Lisa Demuth is still hanging on.


Nate Qualls and his wife address delegates

Qualls reaches for final votes to put him over the top in GOP governor's contest

Kendall Qualls inched closer to the 60 percent threshold needed for endorsement on a seventh ballot Saturday night as Minnesota Republicans sought to endorse a candidate for governor. But his opponent Lisa Demuth raised concerns about the validity of the vote.


Qualls inches closer to GOP endorsement after voting glitch delays balloting 

Voting has come to a halt in the Republican Party contest for the governor’s endorsement after “inconsistencies” in the results from electronic voting technology.


Endorsement voting stalls after ‘inconsistencies’ in GOP devices

Kendall Qualls moved past Lisa Demuth in the two-person contest for the GOP’s endorsement for governor on a fifth ballot. A sixth ballot is up next.





Dana Ferguson | MPR News

Qualls takes the lead on fifth ballot at GOP convention

Peter Cox

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is the DFL-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate after winning support from delegates in Rochester.


A woman in a green suit high-fives delegates as she walks down an aisle.

Two women clap while another woman speaks at a podium on stage.

A crowd of attendees cheer from the convention floor while holding signs.

Ken Klotzbach for MPR News

Flanagan wins DFL Senate endorsement but faces primary challenge

House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls advanced to a fifth round of voting at the Minnesota Republican convention.




Demuth, Qualls move on to fifth ballot at GOP convention

On third round of voting Lisa Demuth’s narrow lead over Kendall Qualls widened slightly.


Demuth widens lead on third GOP ballot for governor, still no endorsement

House Speaker Lisa Demuth maintained a narrow lead Saturday afternoon in a second round of balloting for the Republican Party’s endorsement for governor.


Demuth and Qualls in tight race for GOP governor endorsement

Demuth topped the first round of GOP voting in the endorsing contest for governor, with Qualls and Lindell rounding out the top three.





Minnesota political conventions 2026: DFL, GOP pick candidates

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