The 2020 MN Primary on August 11 is expected to produce very low turnout, especially after the historically high turnout in the 2018 Primary, which featured competitive elections in both the Republican and DFL Gubernatorial races. Other than the election in CD5 between Representative Ilhan Omar and Antone Melton-Meaux, this election lacks any high profile and expensive races above the legislative level. So, this guide seeks to help observers know what to watch for as primary results roll in.
Competitive primaries that will likely decide the general election winner
These primaries are in safe or relatively safe districts for the primary winner.
SD47 GOP: Julia Coleman vs. Tom Funk
SD47 covers most of Carver County in the far southwestern Twin Cities suburbs and expands out into some rural areas on the edge of the metro as well. Dr. Scott Jensen opted not to seek a second term in the Senate, causing these two Republicans to file. As the district has a heavy Republican lean, the winner of the Primary will be the favorite in the general election.
Coleman is a known personality within conservative circles, having worked for the conservative news outlet Alphas News. She also serves on the Chanhassen City Council and is the daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. Funk is the mayor of Victoria and works in computer security industry. He has been attacking Coleman in a Trump-like fashion, calling her part of "the swamp" and criticizing her national fundraising reach.
Coleman is a known personality within conservative circles, having worked for the conservative news outlet Alphas News. She also serves on the Chanhassen City Council and is the daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. Funk is the mayor of Victoria and works in computer security industry. He has been attacking Coleman in a Trump-like fashion, calling her part of "the swamp" and criticizing her national fundraising reach.
HD66B DFL: John Lesch vs. Athena Hollins
HD66B covers much of the north-central portions of the City of Saint Paul. Incumbent Rep. John Lesch won the DFL endorsement over challenger Athena Hollins this Spring and after initially ending her campaign, Hollins restarted it following the murder of George Floyd, joining several other Black women in mounting late challenges to incumbents and/or endorsed candidates.
Lesch is a long-time member of the House and currently chairs the Judiciary committee. He also works as a private practice attorney. Hollins is a fellow attorney and activist within her neighborhood. She has made police reform, affordable housing, and other progressive causes central to her campaign.
Lesch is a long-time member of the House and currently chairs the Judiciary committee. He also works as a private practice attorney. Hollins is a fellow attorney and activist within her neighborhood. She has made police reform, affordable housing, and other progressive causes central to her campaign.
HD67A DFL: John Thompson vs. Hoang Murphy
House District 67A covers the northeast corer of the City of Saint Paul. Hoang Murphy entered the race early and only after the incumbent DFL Rep. Tim Mahoney opted to retire did John Thompson enter. Thompson then secured the DFL endorsement.
Thompson works for the Saint Paul Public Schools and was a good friend of Philando Castille prior to his killing at the hands of law enforcement in 2016. He has commented how this tragic event drove him to public life and opting to seek this seat. Murphy, the product of the foster care system himself, runs a non-profit organization focused on improving the foster care system for the kids experiencing it.
Thompson works for the Saint Paul Public Schools and was a good friend of Philando Castille prior to his killing at the hands of law enforcement in 2016. He has commented how this tragic event drove him to public life and opting to seek this seat. Murphy, the product of the foster care system himself, runs a non-profit organization focused on improving the foster care system for the kids experiencing it.
Leadership primaries
Three of the four caucus leaders are facing primaries, though none are expected to be in serious jeopardy of losing their party's nomination.
SD10: Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka is facing a republican challenge from Richard Dahl.
SD53: Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent is being challenged by fellow DFLer Marquita Stephens.
HF31A: House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt is facing a Republican challenge from Beau Hullerman.
Other primaries
There are at least a couple dozen other less watched primaries in legislative races around the state. Several, as mentioned above, are being mounted by DFL challengers to incumbents and endorsed candidates by people of color who mention the murder of George Floyd and the protests and uprising that ensued as inspiration for their campaigns. This includes primaries in CD4 against Rep. Betty McCollum as well as SD34, SD44, and SD65 as well as the aforementioned SD53 against Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent. In addition to House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt receiving a challenge, Deputy Leader Anne Neu is being challenged in 32B as is Rep. Paul Torkelson in 16B. The sole member of the four person break-away New House Republican Caucus to receive an opponent is Rep. Jeremy Munson in 23B. One potential race to watch is in 23A where Republican Michael Sukalski outraised the Republican endorsed Bjorn Olson in the race to replace retiring Rep. Bob Gunther.
Outside of the legislative elections, there will be a Special Election to fill the Sixth Ward seat on the Minneapolis City Council. The election, conducted via ranked-choice voting where voters can rank their top three choices, has attracted twelve candidates. There are also primaries for several local government offices, including three seats on the Hennepin County Board (1st, 6th and 7th districts) and an open seat on the Saint Louis County Board. Friend of No Coast Workshop Joe Gould is in a five candidate primary for the Bemidji City Council where the top two finishers will move on to the November ballot.
Outside of the legislative elections, there will be a Special Election to fill the Sixth Ward seat on the Minneapolis City Council. The election, conducted via ranked-choice voting where voters can rank their top three choices, has attracted twelve candidates. There are also primaries for several local government offices, including three seats on the Hennepin County Board (1st, 6th and 7th districts) and an open seat on the Saint Louis County Board. Friend of No Coast Workshop Joe Gould is in a five candidate primary for the Bemidji City Council where the top two finishers will move on to the November ballot.