Trump endorses Michele Tafoya in U.S. Senate race; federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar's residence
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya received an endorsement from Donald Trump on October 13, 2026, while federal law enforcement conducted a search of a Minnesota representative's home.
- Donald Trump endorsed Michele Tafoya for the U.S. Senate on October 13, 2026, as her campaign released advertisements attempting to distance her from him 1.
- Homeland Security agents searched the Washington D.C. home of Rep. Ilhan Omar on October 12, 2026, as part of a criminal investigation 1.
- Elon Musk has contributed over $276 million since July 2026 to support Republican candidates in the midterm elections 1.
Full analysiswritten from the full pages behind this update
What happened
Donald Trump endorsed Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya on October 13, 2026 1. The endorsement occurred as Tafoya’s campaign released new advertisements intended to distance the candidate from Trump 1. In the U.S. House, Homeland Security agents conducted a search of Representative Ilhan Omar’s Washington D.C. residence on the morning of October 12, 2026 1. Omar confirmed the search was part of a criminal investigation and characterized the action as political intimidation 1.
In federal campaign finance, Elon Musk has contributed more than $276 million since July 2026 to support Republican efforts to maintain majorities in the U.S. House and Senate 1. Within Minnesota, the Secretary of State’s Office reported on October 9, 2026, that the volume of accepted mail-in and early ballots has doubled over the previous week 1. While the statewide U.S. Senate race between Tafoya and DFL Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has not attracted significant national funding, outside spending in the race for the 1st Congressional District between incumbent Brad Finstad and Jake Johnson has outpaced the Senate contest 1.
Why it matters
The surge in early voting, with totals doubling in the week leading up to October 9, 2026, establishes the logistical scale for local election officials ahead of the November 3 general election 1. The influx of $276 million from a single donor since July 2026 marks the largest known individual spending in this year's midterm cycle, targeting the balance of power in Congress 1.
The criminal probe involving a sitting Minnesota representative introduces legal variables into the final weeks of the campaign, though the specific nature of the investigation remains under seal 1. In the U.S. Senate race, the contrast between a high-profile presidential endorsement and campaign advertisements seeking distance creates a conflicting messaging environment for the Republican nominee 1. Despite the close polling reported on October 12, 2026, the lack of national money in the Senate race suggests a shift in donor priority toward specific House districts, such as the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts 1.
What's next
Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya are scheduled to meet for their first debate at the MPR News studios on Friday, October 16, 2026 1. This may be the only debate between the two U.S. Senate candidates before the general election 1.
The general election will take place on November 3, 2026 1. Early voting is scheduled to remain open until 5 p.m. on November 2, 2026. Following the election, the Minnesota Secretary of State will oversee the canvassing process to certify official results. The winner of the 2nd Congressional District race between Matt Little and Eric Pratt is scheduled to take office in 2027 1. The inauguration of the next governor is scheduled for January 2027.
Sources cited above
1 reference- 1mprnews.org — Page updated: www.mprnews.org/politics
The story so far
edited Oct 14 · 3 paragraphs changedWhat is happening
Control of Minnesota's executive branch and the implementation of state party platforms depend on the gubernatorial election between Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth 34. Klobuchar secured the Democratic nomination with 89.7% of the primary vote, while Demuth won the Republican primary with 43.4% 46. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026 37.
Down-ballot races include incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon facing Tad Jude, and incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison facing Ronald Schutz 2. In the U.S. Senate race, Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic primary with 59% of the vote to face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya, who won her primary with 52.1% 6. Donald Trump endorsed Tafoya on October 13, 2026, as her campaign released advertisements attempting to distance the candidate from him 12.
updated Oct 14 · 1 earlier version
Added the October 13 endorsement of Michele Tafoya by Donald Trump [12].
Control of Minnesota's executive branch and the implementation of state party platforms depend on the gubernatorial election between Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth 34. Klobuchar secured the Democratic nomination with 89.7% of the primary vote, while Demuth won the Republican primary with 43.4% 46. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026 37.
Down-ballot races include incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon facing Tad Jude, and incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison facing Ronald Schutz 2. In the U.S. Senate race, Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic primary with 59% of the vote to face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya, who won her primary with 52.1% 6.
Homeland Security agents searched the Washington D.C. home of Representative Ilhan Omar on October 12, 2026 12. Omar confirmed the search was part of a criminal investigation 12. In federal campaign finance, Elon Musk has contributed more than $276 million since July 2026 to support Republican candidates 12. The Minnesota Secretary of State reported on October 9, 2026, that the volume of accepted early and mail-in ballots doubled over the previous week 12.
added Oct 14
Added the search of Rep. Omar's home, Musk's campaign contributions, and the surge in early voting [12].
What to watch
The deadline for voters to register by mail, fax, or email for the general election was October 13, 2026 7. Early voting is scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. on November 2, 2026, the day before the general election 7. Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya are scheduled to meet for a debate at the MPR News studios on October 16, 2026 12.
The general election for governor is held and vote totals are reported on November 3, 2026 37. The Minnesota Secretary of State certifies the official election outcome following the canvassing process. The elected governor is inaugurated and takes office in January 2027.
updated Oct 14 · 1 earlier version
Updated the registration deadline to the past tense and added the October 16 Senate debate [7][12].
The deadline for voters to register by mail, fax, or email for the general election is October 13, 2026 7. Early voting is scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. on November 2, 2026, the day before the general election 7.
The general election for governor is held and vote totals are reported on November 3, 2026 37. The Minnesota Secretary of State certifies the official election outcome following the canvassing process. The elected governor is inaugurated and takes office in January 2027.
Read the full brief · how we got here
References · 8
- 2nbcnews.com — Minnesota Midterm Elections 2026: Key Races, Candidates and Past Results
- 3en.wikipedia.org — 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election - Wikipedia
- 4nbcnews.com — Minnesota Governor Primary Election 2026 Live Results: Klobuchar, Demuth, Lindell and More
- 6nytimes.com — Minnesota Primary 2026: Live Election Results - The New York Times
- 7elections.mytimetovote.com — Minnesota Election Dates 2026: Voter Deadlines | Elections Center
- 10electionresults.sos.mn.gov — Home - Election Results
- 11electionresults.sos.mn.gov — State Primary Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - Election Results
- 12mprnews.org — Page updated: www.mprnews.org/politics
What would close this
0 of 4 metTimeline
3newest firstMinnesota early voting totals double in one week as Senate candidates schedule first debate
Minnesota election officials reported a significant increase in early voting participation, with over 127,000 ballots submitted as of October 9, 2026 2. Candidates for the U.S. Senate have also scheduled their first televised debate for the upcoming Friday 1.
- Accepted absentee and mail ballots reached 127,000, doubling the previous week's total, with approximately 48,000 cast in person 2.
- DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and GOP nominee Michele Tafoya are scheduled to meet Friday at MPR News studios for their first debate 1.
- Outside spending in the 1st Congressional District race between incumbent Brad Finstad and challenger Jake Johnson has surpassed spending levels in the statewide U.S. Senate contest 1.
Poll shows four-point gap in Minnesota U.S. Senate race as candidates prepare for first debate
A new poll shows the U.S. Senate race narrowing to a four-point margin, though national party organizations have not yet committed significant funding to the contest 1. Candidates are scheduled to meet for their first debate on October 16, 2026 3.
- A Minnesota Poll released October 12 shows Peggy Flanagan leading Michele Tafoya 47% to 43% among likely voters, with 9% undecided 1.
- The Senate Leadership Fund has not yet announced spending in Minnesota despite the narrow polling gap 1.
- The first debate between Flanagan and Tafoya is scheduled for Friday, October 16, at the MPR News studios 3.
- Public safety has emerged as a primary focus in the closing weeks of the gubernatorial campaign 1.
- Absentee and mail-in ballot totals doubled during the week ending October 9, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office 3.
When we started following: Klobuchar and Demuth to contest Minnesota governorship following certified primary victories
Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth have secured their respective party nominations for the Minnesota gubernatorial election scheduled for November 3, 2026 34. Certified results from the August 11 primary show Klobuchar won the Democratic nomination with 89.7% of the vote, while Demuth won the Republican primary with 43.4% 46.
In the U.S. Senate race, Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic primary with 59% of the vote, and Michele Tafoya won the Republican primary with 52.1% 6. Other confirmed matchups for the general election include incumbent Secretary of State Steve Simon against Tad Jude, and incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison against Ronald Schutz 2.
The Minnesota State Canvassing Board met August 18, 2026, to certify these state and federal primary results 1011. The deadline for voters to register by mail, fax, or email for the general election is October 13, 2026 7. Early voting is scheduled to conclude at 5 p.m. the day before the November 3 election 7.