MARSHALL, MN — The campaign season moved into its next phase following Tuesday night’s precinct caucuses across Minnesota, where voters gathered to select delegates and signal early preferences in several high-profile races.
DFL Chairman Richard Carlbom said the caucuses marked the first step toward party endorsements later this spring.
“You know our state convention will be in Rochester, Minnesota at the end of May. And so the road to Rochester launches for all these candidates whether you’re running for the U-S Senate, the state auditor’s race, the governor’s race.”
The DFL and GOP state conventions are scheduled for May 29–31. Democrats reported at least 30,000 people attended in-person precinct caucuses statewide. According to party officials, turnout included many first-time participants, with one site in Eagan reporting more than 75% first-time caucus-goers. Lyon County reported record attendance for a non-presidential election year, while Carver County saw lines comparable to turnout during the 2008 presidential race.
On the Republican side, Lisa Demuth appeared to win the GOP precinct caucus straw poll for governor. GOP Chair Alex Plechash said the poll is informational rather than binding.
“It is really just a preference poll there’s not binding about it. But doing the gubernatorial ballot is not just something we do, it’s actually statutory.”
Kendall Qualls finished second in the straw poll, followed by Mike Lindell, Scott Jensen, and Kristin Robbins.
In the Democratic U.S. Senate race, early caucus results showed strong support for Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan over U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.
Flanagan addressed supporters following the caucuses, saying, “I am honored and humbled to have earned this outpouring of support from Minnesotans – and boy am I ready to fight for folks when I get to Washington. To my fellow Minnesotans, I promise I will keep showing up, meeting you where you’re at, and hearing what you have to say. That’s how I’ll deliver real wins that will help you afford the lives you want to live and ensure we all feel safe in our communities.”
Campaign data released by Flanagan’s team indicated a majority of support among returning caucus-goers and noted that 25% of her supporters were attending a caucus for the first time. In Lyon County, a bean poll showed Flanagan leading Craig by a 52–20 margin.
