RAMSEY COUNTY, MN — Minnesota's Aug. 11 primary is closing in, and Ramsey County voters will find crowded fields at the top of the ballot for U.S. Senate and governor.
It's an open primary, meaning voters must pick either a Republican or a Democratic-Farmer-Labor ballot and can't cross over.
Here's a rundown of what's at stake, based on a sample ballot released by Ramsey County. Some legislative and local races vary by precinct within the county and aren't reflected below.
U.S. Senate
With Sen. Tina Smith retiring, the DFL primary is a proxy fight between Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the party-endorsed candidate.
George H Kalberer, Kurt Michael Anderson, Billy Nord and Peter John Murgic round out the DFL field.
On the Republican side, former NBC sportscaster Michele Tafoya faces GOP-endorsed Adam Schwarze and former NBA player Royce White, along with Patrick Munro, Joyce Lacey, Tom Weiler, Cynthia Gail, Bob "Again" Carney Jr. and Ahmad R. (Raafat) Hassan.
U.S. House, District 4
Longtime DFL Rep. Betty McCollum faces a primary challenge from Aswar Rahman. Republicans Gene Rechtzigel, Paul Wikstrom and Paul Xiong are competing for the chance to run against the winner in November.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Gov. Tim Walz isn't running again, leaving an open seat. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Kendall Qualls and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell lead a seven-way Republican field that also includes John Krhin, Ross Nova, Loner Blue and Raul J Estrada. On the DFL side, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who left the Senate to run for governor, faces six challengers, including Ole "Viking" Savior, Bill E Gates J.R., Kobey J Layne, Mohammad Wazwaz, Thomas Evenstad and Po Vang.
State Senate, District 65
Rocco is unopposed on the Republican side. Robyn Gulley and Natasha Bennett are competing for the DFL nomination.
Down-ballot races
Secretary of State Steve Simon is unopposed in the DFL primary, while Wendy Phillips and Tad Jude face off for the Republican nomination.
Zack Filipovich is unopposed for state auditor on the DFL side, with Will Finn, Nate George and Scott Jensen competing in the Republican primary. Attorney General Keith Ellison faces DFL primary opponent David J.S. Madgett, while Ronald J. Schutz is unopposed on the Republican side.
For a precinct-specific ballot, voters can use the Minnesota Secretary of State's sample ballot lookup at sos.mn.gov.
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