Cook County voters weigh in on statewide and local primary races

Sen. Amy Klobuchar won the Minnesota Democratic nomination for governor with minimal opposition Tuesday, Aug. 11, during the primary election. Klobuchar will face Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the general election. Demuth won the GOP primary despite President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Mike Lindell.

With women securing both major-party nominations for governor, Klobuchar and Demuth have made history as the first women to advance to a Minnesota gubernatorial general election. One of the two will become Minnesota’s first woman governor.

Gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., greets supporters after taking part in a Minnesota Governor Candidate Forum in Morgan, Minn., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, greets supporters after taking part in a Minnesota Governor Candidate Forum in Morgan, Minn., Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

In other state races, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Minnesota Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday. Flanagan defeated centrist U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. Flanagan will be the front-runner in the general election contest against former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, who won the GOP primary Tuesday.

Cook County voters cast their ballots Tuesday in several statewide primary races, with DFL candidates leading their respective races and several Republican contests decided by narrower margins.

Below are results that reflect how Cook County voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s primary and are unofficial until certified.

Governor

In the race for governor, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar received 1,403 votes, or 94% of the DFL vote in Cook County. Kobey Layne finished second with 43 votes, or 3%.

The Republican gubernatorial race was much closer. Mike Lindell led with 205 votes, or 41%, followed by Lisa Demuth with 195 votes, or 39%. Kendall Qualls finished third with 89 votes, or 18%.

U.S. Senate

For U.S. Senate, Peggy Flanagan received 1,059 votes, or 71% of the DFL vote in Cook County. Angie Craig finished second with 410 votes, or 27%.

On the Republican side, Michele Tafoya received 219 votes, or 44%, while Adam Schwarze finished second with 138 votes, or 28%.

Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District

In Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, Trina Swanson received 1,336 votes, or 91% of the DFL vote in Cook County. Luke Gulbranson finished second with 98 votes, or 7%.

Republican incumbent Pete Stauber received 429 votes, or 85%, in Cook County. Anthony Hamilton finished second with 75 votes, or 15%.

Attorney General

The DFL race for attorney general also saw a decisive result in Cook County. Keith Ellison received 1,331 votes, or 91%, while David Madgett received 130 votes, or 9%.

Ronald J. Schutz was the only Republican candidate for attorney general on the Cook County ballot and received all 459 Republican votes.

Secretary of State

In the secretary of state race, Steve Simon received all 1,347 DFL votes cast in Cook County.

Republicans split their votes between Tad Jude and Wendy Phillips. Jude received 270 votes, or 57%, while Phillips received 203 votes, or 43%.

Auditor

The auditor’s race followed a similar pattern. Zack Filipovich received all 1,305 DFL votes in Cook County.

On the Republican side, Scott Jensen led with 271 votes, or 56%, followed by Nate George with 171 votes, or 36%.

Cook County Commissioner District 1

The candidates advancing to the general election in November are Incumbent Deb White and Matt Kelm.

Candidate Deb White ended the night with the most votes at 132, or 53%, followed by Matt Kelm with 63 votes, or 25%.

Christine Childs followed with 52 votes, or 21%.

Cook County Auditor Braidy Powers told WTIP that overall turnout for Cook County voters during the Aug. 11 primary was about 42% of registered voters.

Kalli Hawkins August 12, 2026