With just a little over a year until the 2026 midterms, office-seeking Minnesotans are building their campaigns for the state’s top political positions.

On the Republican side, several candidates are vying for a GOP nomination to replace Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, although Walz has yet to state if he’ll try for an unusual third term.

Some prominent DFLers are campaigning hard for an open U.S. Senate seat as Sen. Tina Smith prepares to retire at the end of her term.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst introduces us to two candidates: Republican candidate for governor Kendall Qualls and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angie Craig, a member of the U.S. House currently representing the state’s 2nd District.

Also, how likely is a special session for state lawmakers? Walz has hinted at a potential emergency legislative session to address gun possession, mental health care access and school safety issues. MPR News reporters Clay Masters and Dana Ferguson break down the latest from the state Capitol.

Guests:

• Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is pursuing a Senate seat in 2026. Rep. Craig represents Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District and handily won her fourth term in 2024.
• Kendall Qualls is an Army veteran and a Republican candidate running for Minnesota’s 2026 governor’s race. Qualls is a former business executive who has led conservative advocacy groups in recent years and ran for the post in 2022.

The discussion with Rep. Craig was recorded at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 28 and was lighted edited for the broadcast. The full conversation can be heard on the Politics Friday podcast. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.