Incumbent Gov. Walz wins second term in office over Scott Jensen

Minnesota voters on Tuesday chose to give Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan a second term.

Walz and Flanagan won by nearly 10% over challengers Scott Jenson and Matt Birk. Walz and Flanagan collected 52.27% while Jenson and Birk collected 44.61%. The remaining 3.12% was made up of third-party candidates and write-ins according to the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Democrats also claim the majority in the state senate for the first time in six years. Democrats now control both the house of representatives and senate as well as the governorship.

“Being able to reclaim the majority will ensure reproductive rights across Minnesota,” said Storm Novak, president of College Democrats at Minnesota State. “Once any party has the majority in the house and senate it means that party can really get a lot done.” 

Dedicated to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party from the beginning, Novak said their efforts have been constant since the campaign season started.

“I personally door-knocked over 1,000 doors,” Novak said. “I am optimistic that we can get more funding for our colleges and for tuition for students. There’s a lot of democrats that are in favor of that.”

Representatives that hold this position are able to vote on bills that will directly impact Minnesota.

“I think it’s great to have new legislators that are focused on higher education so that it can support underrepresented students and students of color. Issues like having tuition be frozen so students don’t drop out because of basic need resources or mental health resources,” David Mesta, junior at MSU, said.

Other statewide wins include incumbent attorney general Keith Ellison with a 50.37% win, barely inching past Jim Schultz who collected 49.53%. Write ins accounted for the other 0.10%.

Secretary of State incumbent Steven Simon (54.53%) defeated Kim Crockett (45.38%), with write-ins accounting for 0.09%.

State auditor Julie Blaha won by the skin of her teeth (47.47) over Ryan Wilson (47.13%). Third-party candidates and write-ins amounted to 5.4%.

In a night of Democrat wins, there was one significant loss. In the race for the First Congressional District seat, Democrat Jeff Ettinger (42.32%) lost to Republican Brad Finstad (53.81%). Third-party and write-ins accounted for 3.87%..

In local races, Luke Frederick won handily over Dar Vosburg in house district 18B. In Senate District 18, Democrat Nick Frentz defeated Republican Mark Wright.

Mankato Mayor Najwa Massad defeated Toby Leonard. Council member Jessica Hatanpa defeated Kevin Bores. 

Jeff Wersal is the new Blue Earth County Sheriff after defeating Paul Barta. And Kristi Schuck pulled in more votes than Joel Hollerich and Emest W. Nielsen.

Now that election season is over, College Dems are focusing on policy and will host a pride march Nov. 10. The Turning Point USA chapter at MSU had no comment on the election as they are a 501c3 which is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization.

Header photo: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks to the crowd at the DFL election night party. (Abbie Parr/Associated Press)

Write to Julia Barton at julia.barton@mnsu.edu