The DFL has held both of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats since 2009 when Al Franken defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman after a protracted recount following the 2008 election.

Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith was appointed in January 2018 to replace Franken after he resigned following sexual harassment allegations.

The DFL has held Minnesota's other U.S. Senate seat since 2001, when Mark Dayton defeated Republican incumbent Rod Grams in 2000.

[1] Elections for state and federal offices were held via first-past-the-post voting, each producing a single winner.

Judicial and local elections were held via the nonpartisan blanket primary.

[6] Candidates who lost the primary election for the DFL nomination include Steve Carlson,[6] Stephen Emery,[6] David Robert Groves,[6] and Leonard Richards.

On December 7, 2017, incumbent DFL Senator Al Franken announced he would resign.

[11] Candidates who lost the primary election for the Republican nomination include Bob Anderson and[12] Nikolay Bey.

[6] Candidates who lost the primary election for the DFL nomination include Richard Painter,[13] Ali Chehem Ali,[6] Gregg Iverson,[6] Nick Leonard,[14] and Christopher Seymore.

[6] Smith won election to the remaining two years of Franken's original six-year term.

Incumbent DFL Governor Mark Dayton did not seek re-election, but was eligible to do so.

[16] Candidates who lost the primary election for the Republican nomination include former governor Tim Pawlenty[17] and Matt Kruse.

[16] Candidates who lost the primary election for the DFL nomination include State Representative Erin Murphy,[18] Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson,[19] Tim Holden,[16] and Olé Savior.

Incumbent DFL secretary of state Steve Simon announced on January 23, 2018, that he would seek re-election.

[25] Incumbent DFL attorney general Lori Swanson announced on January 28, 2018, that she would seek re-election.

[28] Candidates who lost the primary election for the Republican nomination include Sharon Anderson[29] and former state senator Bob Lessard.

[30] Candidates who lost the primary election for the DFL nomination include State Representative Debra Hilstrom,[31] former Ramsey County attorney Tom Foley,[32] Matt Pelikan,[33] and former commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce Mike Rothman.

Justice Chutich faced a challenge from conservative Michelle MacDonald, whom she beat 55.9% to 43.7%.

Court of Appeals Justice Lucinda Ellen Jesson faced a challenge from human-rights lawyer Anthony L. Brown, whom she defeated 62.7% to 37.0%.

[36] Minnetonka Beach and Motley each had a ballot question on the day of the primary election.