Zack Filipovich (D), State Auditor
Occupation & Background: Former Duluth City Council member (2014–2022), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), nonprofit finance executive, and public finance professional. Earned a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth and has worked in financial management, budgeting, and government accountability. DFL-endorsed candidate for Minnesota State Auditor. Age: 35. Accomplishments: Served two terms on the Duluth City Council, including leadership on finance and budget issues. Built a career managing nonprofit finances and promoting fiscal transparency. Received the Minnesota DFL endorsement for State Auditor after a competitive convention. Has emphasized modernizing the Auditor's Office through technology, transparency, and stronger financial oversight. Economic Justice: Supports responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, transparent government spending, and stronger financial accountability for local governments. Advocates helping cities, counties, and school districts improve financial management while protecting investments in infrastructure, education, and essential public services. Climate: Supports ensuring public investments in clean energy and environmental programs are managed responsibly and efficiently. Believes the State Auditor should ensure taxpayer funds dedicated to environmental initiatives are used effectively and transparently. Healthcare: Supports strong financial oversight of public healthcare funding, including county health services and public health programs. Advocates ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently while maintaining access to quality healthcare services throughout Minnesota. Housing: Supports responsible oversight of state and local housing investments, affordable housing initiatives, and community development programs. Advocates financial transparency to help local governments maximize housing resources and protect taxpayer investments. Criminal Justice / Policing: Supports ensuring local public safety funds are managed responsibly and transparently. Believes the State Auditor should help local governments strengthen financial accountability while allowing communities to make public safety decisions locally. Immigration: Has not made immigration a primary focus of his campaign. Supports fair administration of state and local government programs and ensuring public funds are managed responsibly regardless of policy area.
Nate George (R), State Auditor
Occupation & Background: Mayor of Braham, Minnesota, U.S. Army combat veteran, and Director of Investigations for a gaming regulatory agency. Has experience conducting investigations involving fraud, compliance, and financial oversight. Republican-endorsed candidate for Minnesota State Auditor. Age: Not publicly listed by the campaign. Accomplishments: Elected Mayor of Braham and has focused on fiscal responsibility and local government accountability. Built a career in investigations and regulatory compliance. Received the endorsement of the Republican Party of Minnesota for State Auditor. Has campaigned on strengthening fraud detection and improving oversight of government spending. Economic Justice: Supports reducing government waste, increasing financial accountability, strengthening audits of state and local governments, and protecting taxpayer dollars. Advocates streamlining government operations, identifying inefficient spending, and improving oversight of public finances. Climate: Supports ensuring taxpayer dollars spent on environmental and energy programs are properly audited and managed efficiently. Believes financial accountability should apply to all publicly funded programs regardless of policy area. Healthcare: Supports strong financial oversight of publicly funded healthcare programs to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. Advocates ensuring state healthcare dollars are spent efficiently and transparently. Housing: Supports auditing housing and community development programs to ensure taxpayer funds are used appropriately. Believes local governments should receive stronger financial guidance to improve accountability and efficiency. Criminal Justice / Policing: Has made fraud prevention and financial crime investigations a central campaign priority. Supports creating a joint task force with the Attorney General's Office to investigate misuse of public funds, fraud, and embezzlement involving government entities. Immigration: Has not identified immigration as a primary campaign issue. His campaign has focused primarily on fiscal oversight, fraud prevention, government accountability, and protecting taxpayer resources.
2026 Race for Minnesota
State Auditor