Minnesota could be headed for record US Senate race spending

The all-time record for political spending in Minnesota is the 2008 U.S. Senate race between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman.

That race went to a recount and wasn’t decided for several months. The two main candidates in that race, along with primary opponents, spent a record $51 million combined, with another $24 million in outside spending.

In 2026, the candidates for U.S. Senate had already raised $27 million by late July, with a contentious general election ahead.

“I think the Senate race will probably be the most expensive race in state campaign history,” says Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier. “The reason for that both parties are going to need to spend a considerable amount of money. The national Republicans have identified this as a top blue state target if Tafoya is the nominee.”

Schier says both parties could eventually see Minnesota as a key to which party controls the Senate n...