Mid-Term Election Candidate Forum

MSU, Mankato's Mid-term Forum brings together candidates of different parties and backgrounds running for local, state, and federal office ahead of Minnesota's 2026 midterm elections. Students are invited to hear directly from the candidates, ask questions, and get informed before the November 3rd election. A meet and greet reception, with free refreshments, will follow.

Invited candidates include those running and actually appearing on the November ballot for the following offices:
• US Senator from Minnesota
• US Representative for Minnesota Congressional District 1
• Minnesota Governor/Lieutenant Governor
• Minnesota Attorney General
• Minnesota State Auditor
• Minnesota Secretary of State
• Minnesota State Senator for District 18
• Minnesota State Representative for District 18B
• Blue Earth County Commissioner for District 3
• Mankato Mayor
• Mankato City Council Ward 3 (Central Campus)
• Mankato City Council Ward 5 (Stadium Heights Residence Community)

The deadline for Candidate registration has passed. Confirmed participants include:

Marisa Simonetti U.S. Senate from MN (Independent)

Jake Johnson - U.S. Congress from MN District 1 (DFL)

Jane Kirby - Minnesota Lieutenant Governor (Green)
Steven Young - Minnesota Governor (Green)

Tad Jude - Minnesota Secretary of State (Republican) [By Video]
Seth Kuhl-Stennes - Minnesota Secretary of State (Green)
Chip Tangen - Minnesota Secretary of State (Libertarian)

Zack Filipovich - Minnesota State Auditor (DFL) [By Video]
Scott Jensen - Minnesota State Auditor (Republican) [By Video]
Jay Reeves - MN State Auditor (Forward Independence)

Nick Frentz - MN Senate District 18 (DFL)

Luke Fredrick - MN House District 18B (DFL)

David Karge - Blue Earth County Commissioner for District 3 (Non-Partisan)

Najwa Massad - Mankato Mayor (Non-Partisan) [By Video]
Julia Hamann - Mankato Mayor (Non-Partisan)

Don Friend - Mankato City Council Ward 3 (Non-Partisan)
Jacob Bases - Mankato City Council Ward 3 (Non-Partisan)
Jessica Hatanpa - Mankato City Council Ward 5 (Non-Partisan)
Bryan Schneider - Mankato City Council Ward 5 (Non-Partisan)

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