Overview
- Party-run precinct caucuses across Minnesota on Feb. 3 opened the 2026 cycle, selecting delegates, debating platforms and holding nonbinding preference polls.
- With roughly half the GOP straw-poll vote reported, Lisa Demuth led with about 31%, followed by Kendall Qualls near 27% and Mike Lindell around 16%, according to CBS Minnesota.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar faced no major DFL opposition and solidified her status as the party favorite for governor, though some progressive precincts in south Minneapolis posted notable 'uncommitted' votes.
- Turnout was strong as voters focused on immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and allegations of fraud in state programs, issues that energized both parties’ activists.
- Caucus outcomes now advance to local and district conventions ahead of late-May state conventions, with candidates still able to pursue August primaries.