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Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022
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| 2022 Minnesota Senate Elections | |
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| Primary | August 9, 2022 |
| General | November 8, 2022 |
| Past Election Results |
| 2020・2016・2012・2010 |
| 2022 Elections | |
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Elections for the Minnesota State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.
The Minnesota State Senate was one of 88 state legislative chambers with elections in 2022. There are 99 chambers throughout the country. At the time of the 2022 elections, Republicans held a majority in more chambers than Democrats. There was a Republican majority in 62 chambers and a Democratic majority in 36 chambers. In the Alaska House, there was a power-sharing agreement between the parties as part of a coalition.
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia identified 27 battleground races in the Minnesota State Senate 2022 elections, thirteen of which were Democratic-held districts while thirteen were Republican-held districts and one was an Independent-held district. Based on analysis of these districts' electoral histories, these races had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could possibly have led to shifts in a chamber's partisan balance.
All 67 seats were up for election in 2022. The chamber's majority went from a 34-seat Republican majority to a 34-seat Democratic majority.
As a result of the 2022 elections, Democrats maintained control of the governorship and the Minnesota House of Representatives, and gained control of the Minnesota State Senate, creating a Democratic trifecta in the state. Previously, Minnesota had divided government, with Democrats controlling the governorship and the state House, and Republicans controlling the state Senate.
This was one of 28 state legislative chambers Ballotpedia identified as a battleground chamber in 2022. Click here for more on why this chamber was identified as a battleground.
Party control
| Minnesota State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 31 | 34 | |
| Republican Party | 34 | 33 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 67 | 67 | |
Candidates
General
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection
Democratic
Republican
Primary
2022 battleground chamber
The Minnesota State Senate was among 28 state legislative chambers Ballotpedia identified as battleground chambers for the 2022 cycle.
What was at stake?
- The Democratic Party needed to gain two or more seats to take control of the chamber in 2022. The Republican Party needed to lose one or fewer seats to maintain control.
- Trifecta control of the state was at stake. Democrats needed to win control of the state senate while maintaining control of the state house and governorship in order to win a trifecta. Republicans needed to maintain control of the state senate while winning control of the state house and governorship in order to win a trifecta.
Why was it a battleground?
- Seats needed to flip: The Democratic Party needed to flip two seats (3% of seats up) in order to win control of the chamber.
- More seats flipped in the last election than needed to flip in 2022: The number of seats that flipped the last time they were up for election (five, or 7% of seats up) is larger than the number that would need to flip in 2022 in order to change control of the chamber (two, or 3% of seats up).
- History of recent flips: Control of the Minnesota State Senate flipped twice between 2012 and 2022. Democrats gained a majority in 2012, followed by Republicans in 2016.
- 2020 battleground chamber: The Minnesota State Senate was a battleground chamber in 2020. That year, the Republican Party lost a net one seat and the Democratic Party gained a net three seats. Read more about the 2020 elections here.
- Other 2022 battleground election: The 2022 elections for governor and secretary of state were also battleground races.
Battleground races
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Click a link below to read survey responses from candidates in that district:
- District 1
- District 2
- District 3
- District 4
- District 5
- District 6
- District 7
- District 8
- District 9
- District 10
- District 11
- District 12
- District 13
- District 14
- District 15
- District 16
- District 17
- District 18
- District 19
- District 20
- District 21
- District 22
- District 23
- District 24
- District 25
- District 26
- District 27
- District 28
- District 29
- District 30
- District 31
- District 32
- District 33
- District 34
- District 35
- District 36
- District 37
- District 38
- District 39
- District 40
- District 41
- District 42
- District 43
- District 44
- District 45
- District 46
- District 47
- District 48
- District 49
- District 50
- District 51
- District 52
- District 53
- District 54
- District 55
- District 56
- District 57
- District 58
- District 59
- District 60
- District 61
- District 62
- District 63
- District 64
- District 65
- District 66
- District 67
Campaign finance
Campaign finance by district
The section below contains data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. Districts and elections are grouped in sections of 10. To view data for a district, click on the appropriate bar below to expand it. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA.
Incumbents who were not re-elected
Incumbents defeated in general elections
One incumbent lost in the Nov. 8 general election.
| Name | Party | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Chamberlain |  Republican |
Senate District 11 |
Incumbents defeated in primary elections
No incumbents lost in primaries.
Retiring incumbents
Twenty-three incumbents were not on the ballot in 2022.[1] Those incumbents were:
Primary election competitiveness
This section contains data on state legislative primary election competitiveness in Minnesota. These totals include data from all regularly-scheduled House and Senate elections. For more information about Ballotpedia's competitiveness analysis of state legislative elections, please click here.
Post-filing deadline analysis
The following analysis covers all state legislative districts up for election in Minnesota in 2022. Information below was calculated on July 31, 2022, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time.
Sixty-three state legislative districts up for election in Minnesota in 2022 were open—meaning no incumbents filed to run—representing 31% of the state's legislature, an increase compared to the preceding four election cycles.
Since no incumbents are present, all open districts are guaranteed to be won by newcomers.
Fifty-nine of the open districts were caused by incumbents who did not file for re-election. Minnesota does not have term limits for state legislators, meaning those 59 incumbents chose to either retire or run for some other office.
The remaining four open districts arose from incumbent v. incumbent contests due to redistricting. In these four contests, incumbents from one district were drawn into another district, leaving their old districts open.
Across all districts, there were 44 contested primaries, representing 11% of all possible primaries, an increase compared to the preceding four election cycles.
A contested primary is one where there are more candidates running than nominations available, meaning at least one candidate must lose.
There were 18 Democratic primaries, a 28% decrease from 2020. Republicans held 26 contested primaries, a 73% increase.
Overall, 425 major party candidates filed to run this year: 213 Democrats and 212 Republicans.
Open seats
The table below shows the number and percentage of open seats in the Minnesota State Senate from 2010 to 2022.[2] It will be updated as information becomes available following the state’s candidate filing deadline.
| Open Seats in Minnesota State Senate elections: 2010 - 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Total seats | Open seats | Seats with incumbents running for re-election |
| 2022 | 67 | 23 (34 percent) | 44 (66 percent) |
| 2020 | 67 | 4 (6 percent) | 63 (94 percent) |
| 2016 | 67 | 13 (19 percent) | 54 (81 percent) |
| 2012 | 67 | 16 (24 percent) | 51 (76 percent) |
| 2010 | 67 | 9 (13 percent) | 58 (87 percent) |
Incumbents running in new districts
When an incumbent files to run for re-election in the same chamber but a new district, it leaves his or her original seat open. This may happen for a variety of reasons ranging from redistricting to a change in residences. This may result in instances where multiple incumbents face each other in contested primaries or general elections if the incumbent in the new district also seeks re-election.
Minnesota rearranged its Senate districts during the redistricting process after the 2020 census. Click [show] on the header below to view a table showing all 67 districts in the leftmost column along with all legislators representing those districts at the time of the 2022 filing deadline. The "Filed in 2022 in ..." column lists the districts, in which incumbents filed to run. The "New district open?" column indicates whether the incumbent running was the only incumbent seeking re-election in that district.
Process to become a candidate
See statutes: Minnesota Statutes, "Chapter 204B. Elections; General Provisions"
For major party candidates
A major party candidate seeking placement on the primary ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit must state the following, regardless of the office being sought:[3][4]
- that the candidate is an eligible voter
- that the candidate has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any other office at the same primary or next ensuing general election
- that the candidate is 21 years old, or will be at the time he or she assumes office, and that the candidate will maintain a residence in the district in which he or she is seeking election for 30 days prior to the general election
- that the candidate's name as written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by which he or she is commonly known in the community
The candidate must also include his or her address and telephone number. The candidate must indicate on the affidavit that he or she has either participated in the party's most recent precinct caucus or intends to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next ensuing general election. The affidavit includes office-specific information, as well.[3][4]
In addition the affidavit of candidacy, a major party candidate must either pay a filing fee or submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee. Filing fees vary according to the office being sought and are as follows:[4][5][6]
| Filing fees | |
|---|---|
| Office | Filing fee |
| Governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state or United States Representative | $300 |
| United States Senator | $400 |
| State legislature | $100 |
If a candidate elects to submit a petition in lieu of paying the filing fee, the petition must meet the following signature requirements:[4][5]
| Signature requirements for petitions in lieu of filing fees | |
|---|---|
| Office | Required signatures |
| Governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state or United States Senator | 2,000 |
| United States Representative | 1,000 |
| State legislature | 500 |
Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[4][7]
For minor party and independent candidates
A minor party or independent candidate seeking placement on the general election ballot must file an affidavit of candidacy meeting the same specifications as that filed by a major party candidate. Instead of including the name of his or her political party, an independent candidate may designate a non-recognized party or political principle, provided that the designation is made in three words or less and does not suggest similarity with an existing recognized party.[3][8]
A minor party or independent candidate must also submit a nominating petition. For federal or statewide offices, signatures must equal either 1 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the state at the last preceding state general election, or 2,000, whichever is less. For congressional office, signatures must equal either 5 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the district at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less. For state legislative office, signatures must equal either 10 percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the legislative district at the last preceding state general election, or 500, whichever is less.[8][9][10]
In addition to the affidavit of candidacy and nominating petition, a minor party or independent candidate is liable for the same filing fee as a major party candidate. A nominating petition may be used in lieu of paying the filing fee, but the petition must include a prominent statement informing signers that the petition will be used in this way.[5][8]
Candidates must file between the 84th day preceding the primary election and the 70th day preceding the primary. Candidates for federal office must file with the Minnesota Secretary of State. A candidate for state-level office may file with the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[7][8]
For write-in candidates
A write-in candidate must file a written request in order to have his or her votes tallied. Such requests must be filed no later than the seventh day before the general election. Write-in candidates for federal office must submit their requests to the Minnesota Secretary of State. A write-in candidate for state-level office may submit the request to the county auditor of his or her county of residence or the Minnesota Secretary of State.[11][7]
Qualifications
To be eligible to run for the Minnesota State Senate, a candidate must meet the following criteria:[12]
- be eligible to vote in Minnesota;
- not have filed for more than one office for the upcoming primary or general election;
- be at least 21 years old;
- be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year; and
- be a resident of the legislative district for at least six months prior to the general election date.
Salaries and per diem
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[13] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $51,750/year | For senators: $86/day. For representatives: $66/day. |
When sworn in
Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after the election. When the first Monday in January falls on January 1, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.[14][15]
Minnesota political history
Trifectas
A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government.
Minnesota Party Control: 1992-2024
Four years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | I | I | I | I | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Presidential politics in Minnesota
2020 Presidential election results
Presidential election in Minnesota, 2020
Candidate/Running mate |
% |
Popular votes |
Electoral votes |
||
| ✔ |
 
| Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D) |
52.4
|
1,717,077 | 10 |
 
| Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R) |
45.3
|
1,484,065 | 0 | |
 
| Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L) |
1.1
|
34,976 | 0 | |
 
| Howie Hawkins/Angela Nicole Walker (G) |
0.3
|
10,033 | 0 | |
 
| Ye/Michelle Tidball (Independent) |
0.2
|
7,940 | 0 | |
 
| Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard (Independent) |
0.2
|
5,651 | 0 | |
 
| Roque De La Fuente/Darcy Richardson (Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota) |
0.2
|
5,611 | 0 | |
 
| Gloria La Riva/Leonard Peltier (Party for Socialism and Liberation) |
0.0
|
1,210 | 0 | |
 
| Alyson Kennedy/Malcolm Jarrett (Socialist Workers Party) |
0.0
|
643 | 0 | |
| Other write-in votes |
0.3
|
9,965 | 0 | ||
 |
Total votes: 3,277,171 |
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Minnesota
Redistricting following the 2020 census
Minnesota enacted new legislative district boundaries on February 15, 2022, when a special judicial redistricting panel issued an order adopting final maps. Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea established the five-judge special redistricting panel in June 2021 to hear legal challenges regarding redistricting and adopt maps should the legislature not agree on them. The panel consisted of two state court of appeals justices and three state district court judges. Republican governors originally appointed two of the five justices, Democratic governors originally appointed two, and former Gov. Jesse Ventura (Reform) originally appointed one justice.
On June 2, 2022, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation containing adjustments to Senate Districts 15 and 16 as well as to House Districts 15, 16, and 58.[16] The changes were effective for the 2022 elections. On May 24, 2023, Walz signed a state budget bill that included modifications to Senate Districts 9, 12, 17, and 24.[17][18][19] The changes were effective for the 2024 elections.
Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Minnesota State Senate Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Minnesota State Senate Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
See also
| Minnesota | State Legislative Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
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2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 |
|
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ballotpedia defines an incumbent as retiring if the incumbent did not file for office or filed for office but withdrew, was disqualified, or otherwise left a race in a manner other than losing the primary, primary runoff, or convention. If an incumbent runs as a write-in candidate, Ballotpedia does not consider them to be retiring. If an incumbent runs in the same chamber for a different seat, Ballotpedia does not consider them to be retiring.
- ↑ Ballotpedia defines a seat as open if the incumbent did not file to run for re-election or filed but withdrew and did not appear on any ballot for his or her seat. If the incumbent withdrew from or did not participate in the primary but later chose to seek re-election to his or her seat as a third party or independent candidate, the seat would not be counted as open. If the incumbent retired or ran for a different seat in the same chamber, his or her original seat would be counted as open unless another incumbent from the same chamber filed to run for that seat, in which case it would not be counted as open due to the presence of an incumbent.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2024 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.06," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota Elections Campaign Manual," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 2024 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.11," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Fees," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 2013 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.09," accessed March 18, 2025 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "mnwherefile" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ 2025 Minnesota Statutes, "Section 204B.08," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedmnresults - ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Election Administration & Campaigns," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Filing for Office," accessed June 23, 2014
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.05," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.011," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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