WMMN-AF Candidate Endorsements: MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES

There are less than 10 days to go until election day! According to this post from Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, after five weeks of early voting in Minnesota, 241,348 people have voted in person and 177,841 have voted by mail (that’s 419,189 people total — an increase of 48.5% over the voting total at the same point in the 2022 election). Let’s continue to build the momentum for the largest voter turnout in Minnesota history. We want results too big to question!

Women’s March Minnesota - Action Fund (WMMN-AF) wants accountability for the Trump regime and an end to the corruption, cruelty, illegal wars, and high costs. We’re committed to electing strong progressives across Minnesota that will protect our state, our communities, and our loved ones from the cruel MAGA agenda. Because here in Minnesota, we protect our neighbors. 

Zooming in closer to Minnesota, we know that the Minnesota State Legislature is in play this election. Currently, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party controls the Minnesota Senate by one seat (34-33) and the Minnesota House is divided equally (67-67). A change of just one seat could determine who controls either chamber. And who controls the chamber, therefore, sets which issues get voted on during the next legislative session. 

All the state House and Senate races matter and there are many fantastic, progressive candidates across the state who we encourage you to support. We want to let you know about some of the candidates in races that were close in the last election (we’re talking a difference of only 320 votes, or in some cases much, much less). A progressive win in these races is important if we are to elect a majority that will:

• Shield Minnesotans from the worst of the Trump agenda, 

• Protect our immigrant neighbors, and 

• Build ahead with an affordability agenda in Minnesota.  

To help towards those goals, WMMN-AF is pleased to announce the following endorsements for the 2026 General Election:

MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES - CLOSE RACES

Zachary Dorholt - House District 14B (St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids) 

Zachary Dorholt is a mental health professional and former Minnesota House Representative (2013-2015) who sat on the committee for Higher Education and helped pass funding for all-day kindergarten. Committed to community advocacy, he currently sits on his local school board. Zachary is ERA MN certified and endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Minnesota Nurses Association, Moms Demand Action, and more. 

Kari Rehrauer - House District 35B (Coon Rapids, Andover) 

Kari Rehrauer’s background has taken her from a school science teacher to city council member to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she has served House District 35B since 2025. She believes that public servants are here to better the lives of all of their constituents. She is ERA MN certified and endorsed by many organizations including Education Minnesota, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Moms Demand Action, the unions, climate and environmental groups, OutFront Action, and Somos the Future. 

Lucy Rehm - House District 48B (Chanhassen, Chaska)

Lucy Rehm has been the House Representative for 48B for four years. Lucy’s priorities include healthcare, public education, and the environment. Additionally, she’s a self-described “lifelong feminist” who believes that all healthcare decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Minnesota Nurses Association, MN-350 Action, Women Winning, and more.

Brad Tabke - House District 54A (Shakopee, Jackson Township)

Brad Tabke is a two-term House Representative, and prior to that he was the Mayor of Shakopee. His priorities include bringing down the cost of living, supporting education, and protecting access to reproductive care (including birth control and IVF). He is endorsed by a wide range of organizations, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Gender Justice Action, Moms Demand Action, environmental and climate groups, and many unions. This race was decided by 14 votes in the last election.

Angela Nelson - Senate District 35 (Coon Rapids, Anoka) 

Angela Nelson is an educator and a principal. As an educator and a proud mom Angela will listen to the needs of community members and is committed to bringing common sense solutions to the table to focus on affordability for families and strong public schools where every student belongs. She is ERA MN certified and endorsed by a wide range of organizations, including Women Winning, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Moms Demand Action, Take Action MN, Education Minnesota. This race was decided by less than 200 votes last election. Angela is running against the incumbent.

Judy Seeberger - Senate District 41 (Prescott, Cottage Grove)

In addition to serving as a State Senator for SD41 since 2022, Judy Seeberger is a teacher, a paramedic, a firefighter, a lawyer, a military wife, and a mom. She has enacted legislation to enhance consumer protections, to support public safety, to protect the environment, and to make life better for all Minnesotans. She is endorsed by many unions, environmental groups, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Gender Justice Action, Women Winning, Somos the Future, Clean Water Action, and more.

Our ask of you: Learn more about these candidates, and if their message resonates with you, find a way to support these candidates! From volunteering to doorknocking or just reaching out to family/friends who live in these districts and letting them know why you think these candidates are right for Minnesota. Every vote counts, and in the races above, we’ve seen just how every vote really makes a difference.

In addition to close races, there are open seats as well. While some districts tend to go one way or another, when there’s not an incumbent in the race there just might be room for a surprise once in a while. 

To help towards electing strong progressives across Minnesota that will protect our state, WMMN-AF is pleased to announce the following endorsements for the 2026 General Election:

MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES - OPEN SEATS

Kristy Janigo - Senate District 37 (Maple Grove, Corcoran)

This is an open seat and might easily go progressive this time. Kristy Janigo is an army veteran who has also previously served on the Maple Grove City Council, and she’s looking to bring a fresh perspective to the legislature. She is certified by ERA MN and is endorsed by many officials as well as a wide range of organizations, including Clean Water Action, Moms Demand Action, the Minnesota Nurses Association, Women Winning, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and many unions.

Arlis Sayler - House District 13A (Stearns County)

WMM-AF is especially proud to announce that one of our wonderful and dedicated volunteers, Arlis Sayler, is running as a first-time candidate for office. Arlis’s priorities are healthcare, agriculture, immigration, and education. We know he will make a strong state house representative, fighting for equal rights for all. Arlis has also been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Gender Justice Action, Stonewall Caucus, and he is ERA MN certified. 

Make your voice heard! Vote on or before November 3rd!

For additional voting information and insights beyond the ballot, visit the Women’s March Minnesota - Action Fund Election Central hub at womensmarchmn.com/elections!