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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Ellison and Simon Win Reelection as Filipovich Claims Minnesota State Auditor's Office in Statewide Democratic Sweep
Keith Ellison secures a third term as attorney general, Steve Simon wins a fourth term overseeing elections, and accountant Zack Filipovich defeats former state senator Scott Jensen for the office responsible for overseeing local government finances.
SAINT PAUL, MN (November 4, 2026).
Minnesota voters returned Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon to office Tuesday while electing Zack Filipovich as the state's next auditor, giving Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates victories in all three constitutional offices on the November 3 ballot.
The results preserve Democratic control of the attorney general's and secretary of state's offices while establishing new leadership in the Office of the State Auditor following Julie Blaha's decision not to seek reelection.
According to results reported Wednesday morning by FOX 9, Ellison defeated Republican Ron Schutz with approximately 54.3% of the vote to Schutz's 45.5%, with 99% of votes counted.
Simon defeated Republican Tad Jude to secure a fourth term as secretary of state.
In the auditor's race, Filipovich defeated Republican Scott Jensen, receiving approximately 52.9% of the vote compared with Jensen's 44.2%.
The victories carry implications extending beyond party control. The three offices have distinct responsibilities involving the enforcement of state law, election administration, business registration and oversight of public finances.
Their decisions affect Minnesotans in every county, including residents of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Park and communities throughout Greater Minnesota.
KEITH ELLISON | A Third Term as Minnesota's Chief Legal Officer
Ellison's victory extends his tenure as Minnesota attorney general, a position he has held since January 2019.
The office serves as the state's chief legal authority, representing Minnesota in litigation, enforcing consumer protection laws and providing legal services to state government.
Ellison's reelection followed a closely watched contest against Schutz, a private attorney who challenged the incumbent's record and argued for changes in the office's priorities.
The campaign drew substantial financial investment and attention from both major political parties.
Schutz emphasized fighting fraud and crime and strengthening consumer protection.
Ellison campaigned on consumer protection, affordability and defending Minnesota's interests in disputes with the federal government.
The election gave voters a choice between competing approaches to the responsibilities of the attorney general's office.
Ellison's reported 54.3% share provided a clear election-night advantage, although the result remains subject to the official canvassing process.
Consumer Protection and Affordability
Among the issues confronting the attorney general's office are consumer fraud, deceptive business practices, housing-related disputes and the enforcement of laws intended to protect residents from unlawful commercial conduct.
The office can pursue civil enforcement actions and represent the public interest in matters within its statutory jurisdiction.
For Minnesota households facing rising costs, consumer protection is more than an abstract legal responsibility.
Unlawful fees, deceptive financial arrangements, housing-related violations and fraudulent business activity can impose substantial burdens on residents.
The attorney general's office has an important role in investigating alleged violations and seeking remedies where the law permits.
However, the office does not independently control the cost of groceries, housing, healthcare or other essential goods.
Its authority must be exercised through applicable statutes, court proceedings and other established legal processes.
That distinction matters when evaluating campaign promises and measuring the performance of the office.
Federal-State Relations and Constitutional Accountability
Ellison's next term will also involve Minnesota's relationship with federal authorities.
The state has experienced significant disputes involving immigration enforcement, federal policy and the respective responsibilities of state and federal institutions.
The January 2026 deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during encounters involving federal personnel brought particular attention to questions of government accountability, investigative authority and constitutional protections.
The attorney general's office can represent the state in appropriate legal proceedings and challenge federal actions when a valid legal basis exists.
Its authority, however, is not unlimited.
Federal jurisdiction, criminal investigative responsibilities and the powers of local prosecutors are governed by different legal rules.
Any action involving federal personnel must therefore be evaluated according to the evidence, applicable law and the office's actual jurisdiction.
Ellison's reelection ensures continuity in the leadership of the office as those questions remain part of Minnesota's public debate.
STEVE SIMON | A Fourth Term Overseeing Minnesota Elections
Secretary of State Steve Simon won reelection against Republican Tad Jude, securing a fourth term in an office central to Minnesota's election administration.
Simon first took office in January 2015.
The secretary of state's responsibilities include administering statewide election systems, maintaining business registration services and performing other duties established by Minnesota law.
The election was particularly consequential because it took place amid continuing national disagreements about voting rules, election security and public confidence in the electoral process.
Simon has defended Minnesota's existing voting framework, including same-day voter registration and other established voting-access provisions.
Jude advocated changes that included voter identification requirements and replacing Minnesota's current state flag with its previous design.
The candidates therefore presented voters with differing approaches to election policy and administrative priorities.
Election Security and Public Confidence
Minnesota's election system depends on cooperation among the Secretary of State's Office, county election administrators, municipal officials and local election judges.
Although the secretary of state has substantial statewide responsibilities, local election officials perform many of the practical duties involved in administering elections.
Those responsibilities include preparing polling locations, processing voter registrations, handling ballots and reporting results.
The 2026 election also generated disputes over federal election monitoring in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
State and local officials emphasized the importance of protecting voters from interference while maintaining compliance with applicable federal and state law.
Simon will continue overseeing statewide election administration as Minnesota prepares for future election cycles.
His office will also remain responsible for providing public information about election procedures, registration requirements and official results.
The continued availability of accurate, timely election information will be essential to maintaining public confidence.
ZACK FILIPOVICH | A New State Auditor Takes Office
The election for state auditor produced a leadership change.
Filipovich, a Democrat and accountant from Duluth, defeated Republican Scott Jensen, a physician and former state senator who was the Republican nominee for governor in 2022.
The contest followed Auditor Julie Blaha's decision not to seek another term.
Filipovich previously served on the Duluth City Council, including as council president.
He emphasized his professional accounting experience during the campaign, arguing that it prepared him for the financial oversight responsibilities of the office.
Jensen focused on fraud prevention, government accountability and proposals for stronger auditing practices.
Both candidates identified public financial oversight as an important responsibility, although they differed in their proposed approaches.
Why the State Auditor Matters to Local Communities
The Minnesota Office of the State Auditor oversees financial reporting and accountability involving approximately 4,300 local government entities.
Its work includes responsibilities affecting cities, counties, townships and other local public bodies.
The office plays an important role in evaluating financial reporting practices, reviewing local government finances and promoting compliance with applicable accounting and auditing requirements.
For residents of Anoka County, Hennepin County, Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park, this responsibility has direct significance.
Local governments manage substantial public resources through property taxes, state aid, service fees and other revenue sources.
Those funds support roads, public safety, parks, facilities, social services and other government operations.
Financial oversight helps residents and elected officials understand how money is managed and whether public bodies are meeting legal reporting requirements.
However, the state auditor does not personally approve every local expenditure or conduct a comprehensive fraud investigation of every government transaction.
The office operates within defined statutory authority and must prioritize its resources accordingly.
Filipovich's administration will be evaluated through its approach to financial transparency, professional standards, local government assistance and the identification of weaknesses in public financial management.
A Statewide Election With Local Consequences
The three election outcomes demonstrate how statewide constitutional offices influence daily government operations.
The attorney general's office affects consumer protection and state legal representation.
The secretary of state's office affects election administration and business services.
The state auditor's office affects the transparency and financial accountability of local governments.
These responsibilities are separate, but they share a common public obligation: exercising authority within the law while maintaining public confidence in government institutions.
For the returning officeholders, voters have authorized additional terms in which their established records can be measured against future decisions.
For Filipovich, the election creates an opportunity to establish a new administration and demonstrate how his professional experience will shape the work of the auditor's office.
THE TAKEAWAY | Election Victories Bring Renewed Responsibilities
Tuesday's election preserved Democratic control of Minnesota's three constitutional offices.
Ellison will serve a third term as attorney general, Simon will serve a fourth term as secretary of state, and Filipovich will succeed Blaha as state auditor.
The outcome provides continuity in two offices and a leadership transition in the third.
For Minnesota residents, the significance of the results will emerge through legal decisions, election administration, financial oversight and the quality of public services.
Campaigns establish competing promises. Public office requires those promises to be tested through decisions, documented outcomes and accountability.
The reported results remain unofficial until completion of Minnesota's canvassing and certification procedures.
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