Voters Across Northern Minnesota Pack Precinct Caucuses to Select Delegates

Standing-room-only precinct caucuses across northern Minnesota drew energized crowds, as voters gathered to elect local delegates, weigh policy priorities and participate in gubernatorial straw polls that could shape nominating contests later this year. The activity ranged from Bemidji classrooms to a packed Itasca County GOP meeting in Grand Rapids, signaling heightened local engagement after Gov. Tim Walz announced he will not seek reelection.

Caucuses are the first step of the party cycle, where attendees elect local delegates, vote on political priorities and conduct a gubernatorial straw poll. Beltrami County DFL organizers reported around 220 attendees across caucus locations in Bemidji, Blackduck, Red Lake, Ponemah and Grygla, with precincts separated by classrooms at Bemidji Middle School. McGregor High School also hosted DFL discussions. The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party reported at least 30,000 attendees statewide, though the party had not released a statewide straw-poll tally; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar was widely expected to lead among DFL entrants.

On the Republican side, the Itasca County GOP convened at Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids, where KAXE reported “Covenor Ken Haubrich addresses a crowd of around 140 on Feb. 3, 2026, at Itasca County GOP precinct caucuses at Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids.” Local straw poll results at that caucus showed Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth receiving a little more than one-third of the vote, with Kendall Qualls and Mike Lindell each taking about one-fifth. Statewide Republican tallies reported by Center Square and Southernminn showed Lisa Demuth at 32%, Kendall Qualls at 25%, Mike Lindell at 17% and Scott Jenson at 8% in early returns; Southernminn noted that of 14,000 votes currently reported (73%), 854 voters listed themselves as undecided. Southernminn also reported that President Donald Trump has endorsed Lindell in the race.

Voters described a charged atmosphere and varied priorities. Northern Public Radio reported organizers and attendees noting standing-room-only conditions; caucus organizer Andy Dawkins said, “We're going to run out of chairs. No, it's great.” Immigration enforcement was frequently raised as a top issue, while affordability also appeared on the agenda at multiple caucuses. Theresa Baker told Northern Public Radio, “I carry my passport in my car. I was born in St. Paul. It doesn't matter anymore. And so I have to care. I have to care. So this is what's kind of kickstarting, I've got to give a damn.” Other participants expressed concerns about protests and public safety; Lisa Burth said, “What's going on right now in Minnesota? People are getting injured and killed, and, you know, the people that are rioting have been told that it's OK by the governor.” Kimberly McDonald urged that “People need to respect law enforcement.”

Local organizers and longtime attendees underscored the unusual turnout. A couple from LaPrairie, who have attended caucus night for six decades, said, “We voted for Lisa Demuth, and part of it is because [of] her stand on pro-life and just other conservative values that we agree with.” Timberjay coverage in International Falls captured similar energy; candidate Aaron Kania said, “There was a line out the door at 7. I don’t think we got going until a quarter after, just to give everyone a chance to check in.”

For Lake County residents, the caucus surge means local delegate slates and resolutions will reflect recent spikes in concern over immigration enforcement, affordability and public safety. Those delegates will advance platforms and select representatives at upcoming conventions, so county voters who want to influence party priorities should track delegate lists and convention dates as the campaign season moves toward the primary and nominating conventions.