MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Attorney General Candidates Ellison and Schutz Meet Friday in First Head-to-Head Debate

ST. PAUL, MN (October 2, 2026). DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison and Republican challenger Ron Schutz are meeting for their first debate of the 2026 general-election campaign with Election Day just over a month away.

Minnesota's two major-party candidates for attorney general are meeting Friday for their first head-to-head debate of the general-election campaign as voters weigh who should lead the state's chief legal office for the next four years.

DFL incumbent Keith Ellison and Republican challenger Ron Schutz are scheduled to participate in an hour-long debate beginning at noon on MPR News' Politics Friday.

Ellison is seeking a third term as attorney general.

Schutz, a Twin Cities attorney, is challenging him as the Republican nominee.

The debate arrives with Minnesota already in the early-voting period ahead of the November 3 general election.

The attorney general serves as Minnesota's chief legal officer. The office represents state agencies in legal proceedings, handles consumer-protection and charitable-organization enforcement, participates in criminal cases under specified circumstances and represents Minnesota in litigation involving federal policy and other states.

The office has played an especially visible role during Ellison's tenure because Minnesota has participated in major litigation involving federal actions, consumer protection, health care, antitrust matters and public-sector oversight.

Friday's debate gives voters their first opportunity this campaign to hear Ellison and Schutz respond to one another directly rather than comparing campaign statements or separate appearances.

The debate itself does not determine the election, and MinneapoliMedia is not assigning an evaluative winner. The relevant questions for voters are the candidates' stated priorities, their interpretation of the attorney general's authority and the specific actions each says the office should take during the next term.

The November 3 ballot will determine who serves as Minnesota attorney general for the next four-year term.
❤️ SUPPORT MINNEAPOLIMEDIA

STAY CONNECTED TO MINNEAPOLIMEDIA

Local stories matter. Subscribe free to MinneapoliMedia and receive independent news, community reporting and important updates from Minneapolis, the North Metro and communities across Minnesota.

SUBSCRIBE FREE: https://minneapolimedia.town.news/subscribe

MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life