Legislative Session Ends; Focus is now on November Election
Now that the 2026 legislative session is in the rearview mirror, legislators are looking toward the 2026 election. All 201 seats in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives are up for reelection, along with all four constitutional officers, including the governor, and one of the state’s two seats in the U.S. Senate. With the significant number of retirements in the legislature, as well as legislative candidates running for other offices, the 2027 legislature will look vastly different.
The legislature in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is seeing a large number of retirements, headed into the November election. Along with the retirements, others are running for different political offices and are stepping down from representing their current districts. New faces and the nearly evenly divide of the current legislature, along with the ever-shifting national political discourse, make it difficult to predict what the legislature will look like come January, but LHPA will be tracking these races and highlighting some of the more higher profile legislative races leading up to the election.
Minnesota Political News & Updates
As we move past the 2026 legislative session and toward the 2026 elections, the political landscape continues to evolve as individuals announce retirements, new political endeavors, or endorsements. The following are a few developments from the past week:
In the most high-profile contest, businessman Kendall Qualls won the endorsement in the race for governor, beating Minnesota Speaker of the House Rep. Lisa Demuth and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Lindell had previously announced plans to run in the August primary, following voting issues that resulted in Republican Chairman Alex Plechash “releasing” candidates from their pledges to abide by the endorsement, it is rumored that others, including Speaker Demuth, may elect to continue their campaigns as well.
The Republican convention also endorsed veteran Adam Schwarze for U.S. Senate, although broadcaster Michelle Tafoya plans to also run in the August primary. The Republicans also endorsed Tad Jude for Secretary of State, Ron Schutz for Attorney General, and Nate George for State Auditor.
In the other constitutional offices, the DFL endorsed Zack Filipovich, a former Duluth City Councilor and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon and Attorney General Keith Ellison were also endorsed.
The DFL delegates also endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Sen. Tina Smith. Flanagan was generally the favorite for the endorsement over U.S. Rep Angie Craig (MN-2), but the path was made easier when Craig announced just prior to the DFL convention that she would not seek the endorsement but would instead head straight to the August primary.
Congress returns this week facing a packed agenda and several high-stakes political battles that could shape the remainder of 2026. The Senate is in session today, while the House returns Wednesday. President Donald Trump remains at the center of multiple policy and political fights as Republicans work to advance key priorities on immigration, national security, and surveillance authorities ahead of the summer legislative window.
Immigration Reconciliation Package Faces Headwinds
Senate Republican leadership is pushing to advance a $70+ billion reconciliation package that would provide significant funding increases for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the remainder of President Trump’s term.
Senate GOP leaders hope to begin a vote-a-rama Wednesday evening and complete Senate passage Thursday morning. However, growing Republican concerns over a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund included in the package are threatening that timeline.
Several Republican senators have expressed concerns about how the fund could be administered and whether adequate safeguards exist. Because Republicans can afford only a handful of defections, leadership is working closely with the White House to either narrow the program’s scope or develop alternative language capable of maintaining conference support.
Even if Republicans secure enough votes to begin debate, Democrats are expected to force a series of politically difficult amendment votes during the vote-a-rama process, ensuring the issue remains front and center throughout the week.
Democratic Messaging Focuses on Spending Priorities
Democrats view the reconciliation debate as a significant political opportunity heading into the fall campaign season.
In addition to attacking the anti-weaponization fund, Democrats continue highlighting proposed federal funding related to security enhancements for President Trump’s planned White House ballroom project. Democratic leaders argue the spending priorities reinforce their broader message that Republicans are focusing on political interests rather than economic concerns facing voters.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to force votes targeting the anti-weaponization fund regardless of how Republicans ultimately structure the legislation.
Three Democratic senators who have been targeted by the Trump Administration — Adam Schiff (CA), Mark Kelly (AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (MI) — are expected to introduce legislation this week that would prohibit the creation of certain federal legal defense funds tied to lawsuits involving a sitting president or vice president.
FISA Reauthorization Nearing Agreement
Congress is also racing against the June 12 expiration of key surveillance authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Bipartisan negotiators appear close to reaching a three-year extension agreement. Senate Intelligence Committee leaders, working closely with House counterparts and the White House, have reportedly developed a compromise package that includes reforms designed to address long-standing privacy concerns.
One anticipated provision would narrow the definition of an Electronic Communications Service Provider (ECSP), limiting the categories of companies that could be compelled to provide information to the government under Section 702 authorities.
A final agreement is expected to attract support from a majority of Senate Republicans and a smaller coalition of Democrats.
House Action This Week
When the House returns Wednesday, Democrats are expected to force votes related to presidential war powers authorities concerning Iran and Lebanon, placing vulnerable Republicans in politically sensitive positions regarding the administration’s foreign policy.
Lawmakers will also monitor efforts related to additional Ukraine assistance, including a potential discharge petition aimed at forcing floor consideration.
Meanwhile, primary elections in several states, including California and Iowa, will provide early indicators of voter sentiment heading into the final stretch of the 2026 campaign season.
Political Landscape
With just over five months remaining until Election Day, tensions between the White House and congressional Republicans remain elevated. While Republican leaders continue advancing President Trump’s legislative priorities, recent political interventions by the President in GOP primaries and internal party disputes have created additional challenges for Senate leadership as they attempt to manage a narrow majority.
Trust between some Senate Republicans and the White House remains strained, complicating negotiations on several major legislative priorities and increasing uncertainty surrounding the reconciliation process.
Looking Ahead
June is shaping up to be one of the most consequential legislative months of the year. In addition to the immigration reconciliation package and FISA reauthorization, congressional appropriators are preparing for a busy summer as Fiscal Year 2027 spending bills begin moving through both chambers.
LHPA will continue to closely monitor developments surrounding the Senate reconciliation package, FISA reauthorization, congressional action on Iran and Ukraine, and emerging election dynamics as Congress moves through a critical June legislative period. With House and Senate appropriations activity accelerating and key policy deadlines approaching, these debates will have significant implications for federal funding, national security, immigration policy, and the broader political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections. We will keep clients informed of major developments, legislative milestones, and opportunities for engagement as they arise.
