Minnesota Auditor election, 2022

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Minnesota State Auditor
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Election details
Filing deadline: May 31, 2022
Primary: August 9, 2022
General: November 8, 2022
Pre-election incumbent(s):
Julie Blaha (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Minnesota
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2022
Impact of term limits in 2022
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
Minnesota
executive elections
Governor

Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Auditor

Incumbent Julie Blaha (D) defeated Ryan Wilson (R), Will Finn (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota), and Tim Davis (Legal Marijuana Now Party) in the race for Minnesota state auditor on November 8, 2022.

Blaha was elected state auditor in 2018. She served as the secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO and the president of Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota, a local affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. Blaha said she was "committed to protecting local solutions and providing resources to local governments" and "is running for re-election to ensure Minnesotans can continue to make decisions that benefit their communities."[1]

Wilson worked as an entrepreneur and attorney. He founded and was CEO of a Minnesota-based auditing firm in the medical device industry. Wilson said he "decided to run for State Auditor after recent reports of significant fraud in Minnesota’s safety-net programs and the gross mismanagement of large infrastructure projects, and a disturbing regression in government transparency and accountability that Minnesotans have witnessed in recent years."[2]

MinnPost's Peter Callaghan said environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) policy was a key issue in the race. "So far, the issue has emerged in only one statewide Minnesota race. As one of four members of the State Board of Investment, the state auditor helps set policy for how the $130 billion in state funds are invested," Callaghan said.[3]

According to the Minnesota State Board of Investment's website, the board "serves the State of Minnesota by investing the assets of state and local employee benefit plans, other public retirement savings plans, tax advantaged savings plans, and non-retirement assets."[4] The board comprises the governor, who serves as chair, the state auditor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general.[5]

Blaha said there were "significant risks and...significant opportunities in how climate is changing and how we’re transitioning energy. The evidence is overwhelming, and it’s also common sense.” Wilson said the state should "let the chief investment officer and the manager they work with be unleashed to get the best-possible return. The chief investment officer doesn’t need the state board of investments to tell them to take classes of assets off the table. We don’t need a partisan thumb on the scale."[6]

The auditor also oversees spending by local governments in Minnesota through financial, compliance, and special audits.

In the 2018 election, Blaha defeated Pam Myhra (R) 49.4%-43.2%. Rebecca Otto (D) served as auditor before Blaha, assuming office in 2006.

Ryan Wilson (R) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

Incumbent Julie Blaha won election in the general election for Minnesota State Auditor.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Minnesota State Auditor

Incumbent Julie Blaha defeated Ryan Wilson, Tim Davis, and Will Finn in the general election for Minnesota State Auditor on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Julie Blaha
Julie Blaha (D)
 
47.5
 
1,168,185
Image of Ryan Wilson
Ryan Wilson (R) Candidate Connection
 
47.1
 
1,159,750
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Tim Davis (Legal Marijuana Now Party)
 
3.6
 
87,386
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Will Finn (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota)
 
1.8
 
44,270
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
1,341

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,460,932
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Julie Blaha advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Auditor.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Ryan Wilson advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Auditor.

Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary election

The Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary election was canceled. Will Finn advanced from the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary for Minnesota State Auditor.

Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election

The Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election was canceled. Tim Davis advanced from the Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for Minnesota State Auditor.

Pre-election analysis and commentary

What's at stake

  • Axios' Torey Van Oot said the "typically sleepy state auditor's race is shaping up to be a barnburner," and described the significance of the race: "The auditor serves as a check on local government finances and spending, conducting audits and producing reports on entities such as counties, cities, school districts and even municipal liquor stores. The office also provides local governments with trainings and investigates allegations of theft or misuse of public funds spent at the local level...The post can be a springboard for higher political office. (See: former Govs. Arne Carlson and Mark Dayton.)"[7]
  • MinnPost’s Peter Callaghan said, "As one of four members of the State Board of Investment, the state auditor helps set policy for how the $130 billion in state funds are invested" and that, "The board has recently begun assessing how environment, social and governance factors might influence how investment decisions are made."[8]
  • The Duluth News Tribune's Alex Derosier said, "In addition to overseeing local public finances, the auditor also sits on several state-level councils, including the Executive Council, Rural Finance Authority and the Minnesota Housing Authority."[9]
  • MPR's Dana Ferguson said, "The Minnesota Auditor’s Office is responsible for acting as a watchdog over $40 billion in local government spending and, in some cases, investigating complaints." She added that the "office might be overlooked but it has been a past launching pad. Two past auditors — Arne Carlson and Mark Dayton — later became governor."[10]

Messaging and strategy

  • Van Oot said the "rivals disagree on the fundamentals of what the auditor should do," and described the candidates' messaging as follows: "Wilson says he wants to be a more aggressive 'watchdog' for fraud by beefing up the investigations division and and using the office to publicly call attention to potential issues, even those that fall outside the office's jurisdiction. Blaha accuses Wilson of 'chasing headlines' and misleading voters about what the auditor can actually do. She says an effective auditor should prevent problems before they happen — without fanfare."[7]
  • Van Oot also said, "The candidates have sparred over what if any role the state auditor could have played in catching, or stopping, the alleged fraud involving Feeding Our Future," and, "Headlines about Feeding Our Future and other high-profile issues with government spending have brought more attention to the auditor's contest, even though issues involving state agencies largely fall outside the auditor's limited authority."[7]
  • Derosier wrote that the auditor's position on the State Board of Investment in an issue in the race: "One issue that has emerged in this year’s race is the auditor’s role on the State Board of Investment. Wilson has criticized Blaha for her support of considering the potential effects of climate change on investment returns, something that other Republicans have started turning into a campaign issue in other states."[9]
  • Ferguson said, "The contest became one of the tightest, according to recent polls and campaign finance reports. And the tenor between the candidates reached a new pitch as they’ve tried to make the case to voters often unfamiliar with the office." Describing Wilson's strategy, Ferguson said, "With less than six weeks to Election Day, Wilson went on the offensive, issuing news releases and hosting press events critiquing Blaha’s performance in office." Blaha, Ferguson said, "said the messages from her competitor don’t square with the reality of what the office actually does."[10]


Voting information

See also: Voting in Minnesota

Election information in Minnesota: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

  • In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
  • By mail: Received by Oct. 18, 2022
  • Online: Oct. 18, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

  • In-person: Nov. 7, 2022
  • By mail: Received by Nov. 7, 2022
  • Online: Nov. 7, 2022

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

  • In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
  • By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Sep. 23, 2022 to Nov. 7, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A


Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Julie Blaha

Image of Julie Blaha

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

Biography:  Blaha was born in Nowthen, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a B.A. in elementary education and received her master's degree in education from St. Mary’s University. Blaha worked as a math and science teacher and was secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL-CIO.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Blaha emphasized financial examinations as being central to the office: "Examinations are the bedrock of the Office of the State Auditor (OSA). Audits, investigations, and legal compliance work ensure that the solutions we create in our communities are implemented as promised. Auditor Blaha is committed to using examinations to build the fiscal integrity and public trust in cities, towns, counties, and school districts."

Blaha said she would "provides tools, training, and direct support so local government officials and residents can work together efficiently and effectively" and "is committed to using examinations to not only find fraud, waste, and abuse, but also build effective local governments where neighbors can come together to create solutions for their own communities."  

Blaha said she "is committed to bringing Minnesotans together by providing data that can start discussions with agreement and trust" and "protecting local resident’s freedom to make their own decisions by ensuring the data is fair and complete."

Show sources

Sources: Blaha for State Auditor, "Priorities," accessed October 17, 2022; Office of the State Auditor, "State Auditor Julie Blaha Bio," accessed October 17, 2022

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022.

Ryan Wilson

Image of Ryan Wilson

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Ryan Wilson is the Republican Party of Minnesota candidate for State Auditor. He’s a medical device industry entrepreneur, attorney specializing in defending constitutional rights and lifelong Minnesotan. But he’s most proud to be called a married father of five and a Little League baseball coach. Ryan is the founder and former CEO of a Minnesota-based auditing firm that he grew into a global leader in auditing and conducting clinical trials. As an attorney, Ryan has worked on behalf of many clients across Minnesota to help them get answers that government is too often reluctant to provide to the public. Ryan’s professional accomplishments are rooted in his desire to seek and provide data that provides answers to the people who need them most. Those character traits and professional skillsets have prepared Ryan Wilson to serve as Minnesota’s next State Auditor."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

I will bring accountability and transparency back to Minnesota government.

One of my top priorities will be to support our schools by helping local communities better understand where their education dollars are being spent.

I will be an independent voice in the executive branch and will hold Minnesota government accountable regardless of party affiliation.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Minnesota State Auditor in 2022.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/RyanWilson.jpg

Ryan Wilson (R)

I will bring accountability and transparency back to Minnesota government.

One of my top priorities will be to support our schools by helping local communities better understand where their education dollars are being spent.

I will be an independent voice in the executive branch and will hold Minnesota government accountable regardless of party affiliation.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/RyanWilson.jpg

Ryan Wilson (R)

The State Auditor oversees the spending of more than 4,500 local units of government (e.g. school districts, counties, cities) that spend a combined more than $60 billion annually. Minnesotans recognize their hard-earned money is invested in their local communities, but they need to know their tax dollars are not going to waste or being abused. Minnesotans want to know that they have an unbiased, qualified watchdog to prevent financial scandals from occurring and investigating and stopping them when they arise. They want someone who will shine a light on fraud, waste, and abuse. Minnesotans want a state auditor who will answer the questions that matter to them and who will stand up and protect both their tax dollars and the programs those dollars are meant to support. Because when fraud and waste occur, it doesn’t just hurt our checkbooks, it hurts those most in need. For example, when a program intended to feed children is defrauded, it means that food is taken from a child’s mouth. We must protect these programs so that we can protect the neediest among us.



Campaign advertisements

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.


Democratic Party Julie Blaha

Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Julie Blaha while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.


Republican Party Ryan Wilson

July 7, 2022
June 17, 2022
June 13, 2022

View more ads here:


Election competitiveness

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Minnesota Auditor election, 2022: General election polls
Poll Date Democratic Party Blaha Republican Party Wilson Undecided/Other Margin of error Sample size[11] Sponsor[12]
Embold Research Oct. 10 – 14, 2022 40.4% 39.8% 19.8%[13] ±2.6 1585 LV MinnPost
SurveyUSA Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, 2022 41% 38% 21%[14] ±4.4 604 LV --
SurveyUSA Aug. 30 – Sept. 4, 2022 38% 37% 26%[15] ±4.9 562 LV --

Endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

Election spending

Campaign finance

The tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA. Transparency USA tracks loans separately from total contributions. View each candidates’ loan totals, if any, by clicking “View More” in the table below and learn more about this data here.

Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[16][17][18]

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

By candidate By election

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
  • Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
  • State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
  • Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.

Presidential elections

See also: Presidential voting trends in Minnesota and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Minnesota, 2022
District Incumbent Party PVI
Minnesota's 1st Vacant Ends.png Republican R+7
Minnesota's 2nd Angie Craig Electiondot.png Democratic D+1
Minnesota's 3rd Dean Phillips Electiondot.png Democratic D+8
Minnesota's 4th Betty McCollum Electiondot.png Democratic D+17
Minnesota's 5th Ilhan Omar Electiondot.png Democratic D+30
Minnesota's 6th Tom Emmer Ends.png Republican R+12
Minnesota's 7th Michelle Fischbach Ends.png Republican R+19
Minnesota's 8th Pete Stauber Ends.png Republican R+8


2020 presidential results by 2022 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2022 district lines, Minnesota[19]
District Joe Biden Democratic Party Donald Trump Republican Party
Minnesota's 1st 44.3% 53.5%
Minnesota's 2nd 52.5% 45.4%
Minnesota's 3rd 59.5% 38.5%
Minnesota's 4th 67.8% 30.2%
Minnesota's 5th 80.6% 17.4%
Minnesota's 6th 40.1% 57.7%
Minnesota's 7th 32.5% 65.7%
Minnesota's 8th 43.4% 54.7%


2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:


Following the 2020 presidential election, 51.8% of Minnesotans lived in one of the state's nine Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 38.6% lived in one of 59 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Minnesota was Solid Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Minnesota following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Historical voting trends

Minnesota presidential election results (1900-2020)

  • 20 Democratic wins
  • 10 Republican wins
  • 1 other win
Year 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Winning Party R R R P[20] R R R R D D D D D R R D D D R D D D D D D D D D D D D

Statewide elections

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Minnesota

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Minnesota.

U.S. Senate election results in Minnesota
Race Winner Runner up
2020 48.8%Democratic Party 43.5%Republican Party
2018 53.0%Democratic Party 42.4%Republican Party
2018 60.3%Democratic Party 36.2%Republican Party
2014 53.2%Democratic Party 42.9%Republican Party
2012 65.2%Democratic Party 30.6%Republican Party
Average 56.1 39.1

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Minnesota

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Minnesota.

Gubernatorial election results in Minnesota
Race Winner Runner up
2018 53.8%Democratic Party 42.4%Republican Party
2014 50.1%Democratic Party 44.5%Republican Party
2010 43.6%Democratic Party 43.2%Republican Party
2006 46.7%Republican Party 45.7%Democratic Party
2002 44.4%Republican Party 36.5%Democratic Party
Average 47.7 42.5

State partisanship

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Minnesota's congressional delegation as of November 2022.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Minnesota, November 2022
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 4 6
Republican 0 4 4
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Minnesota's top four state executive offices as of November 2022.

State executive officials in Minnesota, November 2022
Office Officeholder
Governor Democratic Party Tim Walz
Lieutenant Governor Democratic Party Peggy Flanagan
Secretary of State Democratic Party Steve Simon
Attorney General Democratic Party Keith Ellison

State legislature

The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Minnesota State Legislature as of November 2022.

Minnesota State Senate

Party As of November 2022
     Democratic Party 31
     Republican Party 34
     Independent 1
     Vacancies 1
Total 67

Minnesota House of Representatives

Party As of November 2022
     Democratic Party 69
     Republican Party 63
     Independent 1
     Vacancies 1
Total 134

Trifecta control

As of November 2022, Minnesota was a divided government, with Democrats controlling the governorship and a majority in the house and Republicans controlling a majority in the state senate. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.

Minnesota Party Control: 1992-2022
Two years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Governor R R R R R R R I I I I R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R D D D D R R R R R R
House D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D R R D D R R R R D D D D

Demographics

The table below details demographic data in Minnesota and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019. 

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Demographic Data for Minnesota
Minnesota United States
Population 5,706,494 331,449,281
Land area (sq mi) 79,631 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White 81.6% 70.4%
Black/African American 6.4% 12.6%
Asian 4.9% 5.6%
Native American 1% 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0% 0.2%
Other (single race) 2.1% 5.1%
Multiple 3.9% 5.2%
Hispanic/Latino 5.5% 18.2%
Education
High school graduation rate 93.4% 88.5%
College graduation rate 36.8% 32.9%
Income
Median household income $73,382 $64,994
Persons below poverty level 9.3% 12.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Election context

Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)

See also: Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
Environmental, social, and corporate governance
Economy and Society - Ballotpedia Page Icon (2021).png
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

In the context of public policy, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) refers to the use of non-financial factors in the creation of policy and management of public funds. In considering ESG, public fund managers might require investing only in companies that support certain standards with respect to renewable energy, natural resources, pollution, carbon emissions, and biodiversity; social positions like diversity, equity and inclusion; and diversity in governing bodies.[21]

ESG investing stands in contrast to an investment approach based on the likely maximization of financial returns to the investor.[22]

Although ESG is an approach to investing, it has political overtones. Politicians, particularly from the Republican Party, argue that large ESG-oriented financial firms are abusing their power in order to advance a liberal political agenda in the areas of climate change, social justice, and diversity.[23] Opponents have also characterized ESG investing as "...investment designed not to maximize financial returns but to impose a leftist social and economic agenda that cannot otherwise be implemented through the ballot box."[24] Opponents also argue that focusing on ESG factors has led to "lackluster financial results" that have had a harmful impact on the rate of return to beneficiaries of state public pension plans.[25] Click here to read more about opposition to ESG.

Supporters of ESG investing argue that in the long run, ESG investing will lead to acceptable financial returns.[26] ESG advocates say that ESG and profit are not mutually exclusive.[26] Supporters of ESG also argue that corporations should adopt ESG philosophies and approaches to achieve what they view as positive outcomes.[27] Click here to read more about support for ESG.

ESG issues in this election

See also: Statements about ESG investing by State Financial Officer candidates on the November 8, 2022 ballot

Julie Blaha (D), Ryan Wilson (R), and two other candidates, who ran for Minnesota state auditor, made the following statements on ESG-related issues in this election. Below are samples of quotes from candidates in this election on issues relevant to ESG and state government. If you are aware of a statement that should be included, please email us.



Ballot access requirements

DocumentIcon.jpg See statutes: Minnesota Statutes, "Chapter 204B. Elections; General Provisions"

For major party candidates

A major party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit must state the following, regardless of the office being sought:[31][32]

  • that the candidate is an eligible voter
  • that the candidate has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any other office at the same primary or next ensuing general election
  • that the candidate is 21 years old, or will be at the time he or she assumes office, and that the candidate will maintain a residence in the district in which he or she is seeking election for 30 days prior to the general election
  • that the candidate's name as written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by which he or she is commonly known in the community

The candidate must also include his or her address and telephone number. The candidate must indicate on the affidavit that he or she has either participated in the party's most recent precinct caucus or intends to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next ensuing general election. The affidavit includes office-specific information, as well.[31][32]

In addition the affidavit of candidacy, a major party candidate must either pay a filing fee or submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee. Filing fees vary according to the office being sought and are as follows:[32][33][34]

Filing fees
Office Filing fee
Governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state or United States Representative $300
United States Senator $400
State legislature $100


If a candidate elects to submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee, the petition must meet the following signature requirements:[32][33]

Signature requirements for petitions in lieu of filing fees
Office Required signatures
Governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state or United States Senator 2,000
United States Representative 1,000
State legislature 500


Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[32][35]

For minor party and independent candidates

A minor party or independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy meeting the same specifications as that filed by a major party candidate. Instead of including the name of his or her political party, an independent candidate may designate a non-recognized party or political principle, provided that the designation is made in three words or less and does not suggest similarity with an existing recognized party.[31][36]

A minor party or independent candidate must also submit a nominating petition. For federal or statewide offices, signatures must equal either 1 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the state at the last preceding state general election, or 2,000, whichever is less. For congressional office, signatures must equal either 5 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the district at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less. For state legislative office, signatures must equal either 10 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the legislative district at the last preceding state general election, or 500, whichever is less.[36][37][38]

In addition to the affidavit of candidacy and nominating petition, a minor party or independent candidate is liable for the same filing fee as a major party candidate. A nominating petition may be used in lieu of paying the filing fee, but the petition must include a prominent statement informing signers that the petition will be used in this way.[33][36]

Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[35][36]

For write-in candidates

A write-in candidate must file a written request in order to have his or her votes tallied. Such requests must be filed no later than the seventh day before the general election. Write-in candidates for federal office must submit their requests to the Minnesota Secretary of State. A write-in candidate for state-level office may submit the request to the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[39][35]

Election history

2018

See also: Minnesota Auditor election, 2018

General election

General election for Minnesota State Auditor

Julie Blaha defeated Pam Myhra, Michael Ford, and Chris Dock in the general election for Minnesota State Auditor on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Julie Blaha
Julie Blaha (D)
 
49.4
 
1,250,524
Image of Pam Myhra
Pam Myhra (R)
 
43.2
 
1,095,310
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michael Ford (Legal Marijuana Now Party)
 
5.3
 
133,913
Image of Chris Dock
Chris Dock (L)
 
2.1
 
53,068
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
1,125

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,533,940
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Julie Blaha advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Auditor.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Pam Myhra advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Auditor.

2014

See also: Minnesota down ballot state executive elections, 2014
Minnesota Auditor, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRebecca Otto Incumbent 51.5% 988,102
     Republican Randy Gilbert 40% 766,814
     Independence Patrick Dean 4% 76,845
     Grassroots Party Judith Schwartzbacker 2.9% 55,132
     Libertarian Keegan Iversen 1.6% 30,397
     Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0% 800
Total Votes 1,918,090
Election results via Minnesota Secretary of State


Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
  • Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
  • State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
  • Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.

Presidential elections

See also: Presidential voting trends in Minnesota and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Minnesota, 2022
District Incumbent Party PVI
Minnesota's 1st Vacant Ends.png Republican R+7
Minnesota's 2nd Angie Craig Electiondot.png Democratic D+1
Minnesota's 3rd Dean Phillips Electiondot.png Democratic D+8
Minnesota's 4th Betty McCollum Electiondot.png Democratic D+17
Minnesota's 5th Ilhan Omar Electiondot.png Democratic D+30
Minnesota's 6th Tom Emmer Ends.png Republican R+12
Minnesota's 7th Michelle Fischbach Ends.png Republican R+19
Minnesota's 8th Pete Stauber Ends.png Republican R+8


2020 presidential results by 2022 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2022 district lines, Minnesota[40]
District Joe Biden Democratic Party Donald Trump Republican Party
Minnesota's 1st 44.3% 53.5%
Minnesota's 2nd 52.5% 45.4%
Minnesota's 3rd 59.5% 38.5%
Minnesota's 4th 67.8% 30.2%
Minnesota's 5th 80.6% 17.4%
Minnesota's 6th 40.1% 57.7%
Minnesota's 7th 32.5% 65.7%
Minnesota's 8th 43.4% 54.7%


2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:


Following the 2020 presidential election, 51.8% of Minnesotans lived in one of the state's nine Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 38.6% lived in one of 59 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Minnesota was Solid Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Minnesota following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Historical voting trends

Minnesota presidential election results (1900-2020)

  • 20 Democratic wins
  • 10 Republican wins
  • 1 other win
Year 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Winning Party R R R P[41] R R R R D D D D D R R D D D R D D D D D D D D D D D D

Statewide elections

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Minnesota

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Minnesota.

U.S. Senate election results in Minnesota
Race Winner Runner up
2020 48.8%Democratic Party 43.5%Republican Party
2018 53.0%Democratic Party 42.4%Republican Party
2018 60.3%Democratic Party 36.2%Republican Party
2014 53.2%Democratic Party 42.9%Republican Party
2012 65.2%Democratic Party 30.6%Republican Party
Average 56.1 39.1

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Minnesota

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Minnesota.

Gubernatorial election results in Minnesota
Race Winner Runner up
2018 53.8%Democratic Party 42.4%Republican Party
2014 50.1%Democratic Party 44.5%Republican Party
2010 43.6%Democratic Party 43.2%Republican Party
2006 46.7%Republican Party 45.7%Democratic Party
2002 44.4%Republican Party 36.5%Democratic Party
Average 47.7 42.5

State partisanship

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Minnesota's congressional delegation as of November 2022.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Minnesota, November 2022
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 4 6
Republican 0 4 4
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 8 10

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Minnesota's top four state executive offices as of November 2022.

State executive officials in Minnesota, November 2022
Office Officeholder
Governor Democratic Party Tim Walz
Lieutenant Governor Democratic Party Peggy Flanagan
Secretary of State Democratic Party Steve Simon
Attorney General Democratic Party Keith Ellison

State legislature

The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Minnesota State Legislature as of November 2022.

Minnesota State Senate

Party As of November 2022
     Democratic Party 31
     Republican Party 34
     Independent 1
     Vacancies 1
Total 67

Minnesota House of Representatives

Party As of November 2022
     Democratic Party 69
     Republican Party 63
     Independent 1
     Vacancies 1
Total 134

Trifecta control

As of November 2022, Minnesota was a divided government, with Democrats controlling the governorship and a majority in the house and Republicans controlling a majority in the state senate. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.

Minnesota Party Control: 1992-2022
Two years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Governor R R R R R R R I I I I R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R D D D D R R R R R R
House D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D R R D D R R R R D D D D

Demographics

The table below details demographic data in Minnesota and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019. 

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Demographic Data for Minnesota
Minnesota United States
Population 5,706,494 331,449,281
Land area (sq mi) 79,631 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White 81.6% 70.4%
Black/African American 6.4% 12.6%
Asian 4.9% 5.6%
Native American 1% 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0% 0.2%
Other (single race) 2.1% 5.1%
Multiple 3.9% 5.2%
Hispanic/Latino 5.5% 18.2%
Education
High school graduation rate 93.4% 88.5%
College graduation rate 36.8% 32.9%
Income
Median household income $73,382 $64,994
Persons below poverty level 9.3% 12.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.



2022 battleground elections

See also: Battlegrounds

This election was a battleground race. Other 2022 battleground elections included:

See also

Minnesota State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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Minnesota State Executive Offices
Minnesota State Legislature
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2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016
Minnesota elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Blaha for Auditor, "Meet Julie," September 26, 2022
  2. ↑ Ryan Wilson for State Auditor, "Meet Ryan," accessed September 26, 2022
  3. ↑ MinnPost, "Wait? There’s a ‘real issue’ in the state auditor’s race?" September 15, 2022
  4. ↑ Minnesota State Board, "About the SBI," accessed September 26, 2022
  5. ↑ Minnesota State Board, "Board Members," accessed September 26, 2022
  6. ↑ MinnPost, "Wait? There’s a ‘real issue’ in the state auditor’s race?" accessed September 26, 2022
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Axios, "https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2022/10/20/minnesota-auditor-race-julie-blaha-ryan-wilson," October 20, 2022
  8. ↑ MinnPost, "Wait? There’s a ‘real issue’ in the state auditor’s race?" September 15, 2022
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Duluth News Tribune, "Minnesota auditor is on the ballot this November. But what does the state auditor do, exactly?" September 23, 2022
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 MPR, "Minnesota state auditor candidates disagree on role of office," October 3, 2022
  11. ↑ RV=Registered Voters
    LV=Likely Voters
  12. ↑ The sponsor is the person or group that funded all or part of the poll.
  13. ↑ Other: 6.1%
    Undecided: 13.7%
  14. ↑ Other: 3%
    Undecided: 18%
  15. ↑ Other: 3%
    Undecided: 23%
  16. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
  17. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
  18. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
  19. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed September 9, 2022
  20. ↑ Progressive Party
  21. ↑ Baker Tilly, "ESG matters: an ESG primer for state and local government leaders," February 3, 2022
  22. ↑ Wall Street Journal, "ESG and the ‘Long-Run Interests’ Dodge", September 29, 2022
  23. ↑ NPR, "How ESG investing got tangled up in America's culture wars", September 12, 2022
  24. ↑ Washington Examiner, "‘ESG investing’ is a leftist power grab by another name", July 11, 2022
  25. ↑ Wall Street Journal, "An ESG Champion Stumbles: The California Public Employees’ Retirement System posts a decade of lackluster returns.", September 22, 2022
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 CNBC, "Lauren Taylor Wolfe says it’s just too risky for investors to ignore ESG amid recent pushback", September 23, 2022
  27. ↑ CNBC, "There’s an ESG backlash inside the executive ranks at top corporations", September 29, 2022
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Crow River Media, "Corporate investments become political fodder," September 30, 2022
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Blaha for State Auditor, "Julie’s Priorities," accessed October 17, 2022
  30. ↑ Ryan Wilson for State Auditor, "Issues," October 17, 2022
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 2024 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.06," accessed March 18, 2025
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota Elections Campaign Manual," accessed March 18, 2025
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 2024 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.11," accessed March 18, 2025
  34. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Fees," accessed March 18, 2025
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.09," accessed March 18, 2025 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "mnwherefile" defined multiple times with different content
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions," accessed March 18, 2025
  37. ↑ 2025 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.08," accessed March 18, 2025
  38. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mnresults
  39. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Election Administration & Campaigns," accessed March 18, 2025
  40. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed September 9, 2022
  41. ↑ Progressive Party
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