Incumbent DFLer Keith Ellison narrowly won reelection to a second term against Republican challenger Jim Schultz.

Schultz improved over 2018 Republican nominee Doug Wardlow in rural counties, but Ellison's increased margins in the Twin Cities metropolitan area were too much to overcome.

In 2018, then-U.S. Representative Keith Ellison was elected to replace retiring fellow DFLer Lori Swanson, who ran unsuccessfully for governor.

As Attorney General, Ellison played a key role in the state's prosecution of Derek Chauvin[6] and pushed for policing reforms in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.

This included both businesses which opened for in-person service in violation of public health orders,[10] and some which engaged in illegal price gouging.

[16] Wardlow announced his run in a video on Twitter, blaming Ellison for unrest in the Twin Cities following the murder of George Floyd.

Former State Representative Dennis Smith of Maple Grove announced his run for attorney general on June 7, 2021.