2026 Race for Minnesota
Attorney General
Keith Ellison (D), Attorney General
Occupation & Background: Minnesota Attorney General (2019–present). Former U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District (2007–2019), Minnesota State Representative (2003–2007), civil rights attorney, and former Executive Director of the Legal Rights Center. Earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School. Seeking a third term as Attorney General and is the DFL-endorsed candidate. Age: 62. Accomplishments: First African American and first Muslim elected to statewide office in Minnesota. Has secured billions of dollars in settlements involving opioid manufacturers, consumer protection cases, and antitrust enforcement. Led lawsuits involving healthcare, environmental protections, consumer fraud, and federal policy challenges. Previously served 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Economic Justice: Supports protecting consumers from fraud, enforcing antitrust laws to promote competition, defending workers' rights, and holding corporations accountable for illegal business practices. Advocates strong enforcement of consumer protection laws and combating wage theft. Climate: Supports defending Minnesota's environmental laws and working with other states to address climate change through legal action when necessary. Has participated in multistate litigation involving environmental protections and clean air and water initiatives. Healthcare: Has led efforts to lower prescription drug costs through legal action, combat healthcare fraud, protect patients' rights, and defend the Affordable Care Act. Secured opioid settlements and has prioritized consumer protections in healthcare. Housing: Supports enforcing fair housing laws, combating housing discrimination, protecting homeowners and renters from fraud, and defending consumer rights in the housing market. Has taken legal action against deceptive lending and discriminatory housing practices. Criminal Justice / Policing: Supports protecting public safety while promoting constitutional policing and civil rights. Has emphasized prosecuting violent crime, human trafficking, and fraud while also supporting criminal justice reforms that increase accountability and protect individual rights. Immigration: Supports defending the constitutional rights of immigrants and refugees, protecting Dreamers, and challenging federal immigration policies he believes violate constitutional protections. Has joined multistate lawsuits involving immigration and civil rights while supporting comprehensive federal immigration reform.
Ronald J. Schutz (R), Attorney General
Occupation & Background: Trial attorney, military veteran, and partner at a national law firm. Lifelong Minnesotan with more than 30 years of legal experience representing businesses, individuals, and local governments in complex civil litigation. Officially endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota for Attorney General in 2026. Age: 64. Accomplishments: Has spent decades practicing law in Minnesota and has argued cases in state and federal courts. Served in the U.S. military before entering private practice. Received the unanimous endorsement of the Minnesota Republican Party for Attorney General. Has centered his campaign on combating fraud, restoring public safety, and increasing accountability in state government. Economic Justice: Supports protecting consumers from fraud and government waste while promoting policies that encourage business growth, lower taxes, and reduce unnecessary regulations. Advocates holding state agencies accountable for taxpayer dollars and strengthening Minnesota's business climate. Climate: Supports protecting Minnesota's natural resources while opposing regulations he believes unnecessarily burden businesses and increase costs. Favors balancing environmental protection with economic growth and energy affordability. Healthcare: Supports enforcing healthcare laws fairly, increasing transparency, protecting consumers from fraud, and ensuring healthcare providers comply with state law. Favors market-based approaches that increase competition and consumer choice. Housing: Supports protecting homeowners and renters from fraud and deceptive business practices while enforcing Minnesota's consumer protection laws. Advocates reducing regulatory barriers that contribute to higher housing costs. Criminal Justice / Policing: Strong supporter of law enforcement and public safety. Has stated that combating fraud, violent crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking would be among his top priorities as Attorney General. Supports close partnerships between the Attorney General's Office and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. Immigration: Supports enforcement of existing immigration laws and stronger border security. Believes the Attorney General should work with law enforcement to ensure state laws are enforced while prioritizing public safety and national security.
