Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Minnesota Precinct Caucuses Set Early 2026 Terrain: Demuth Leads GOP Straw Polls, Klobuchar Solidifies DFL Frontrunner Status

The process now moves to spring conventions culminating in late-May endorsements.

Overview

  • With 72% of GOP results reported by 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Lisa Demuth led the Republican straw poll with 4,565 votes, followed by Kendall Qualls at 3,577 and Mike Lindell at 2,401, with Scott Jensen at 853.
  • The DFL reported “at least” 30,000 attendees statewide, a turnout the party chair described as historic, as activists elected delegates and advanced platform resolutions.
  • Amy Klobuchar remained the likely DFL nominee but met visible pushback in left-leaning Minneapolis precincts where 'uncommitted' dominated some straw polls over her name.
  • Immigration enforcement actions and concerns about fraud in state programs were the chief issues driving turnout cited by caucusgoers across Minnesota.
  • The straw polls are nonbinding gauges taken as parties elected precinct delegates, with endorsements set at state conventions in late May and possible primaries to follow in August.