# The 2026 Governor races **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 3, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125 "2026-08-03T19:24:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/61 "2026-08-18T17:15:56Z")
The GOP has anti-Bensen ads in MI aimed at low-information voters. They smeared the SPLC for giving money to the KKK and Jocelyn Bensen by association. But the SPLC was paying KKK informants for inside information to monitor it and prevent future crimes. But all the low-information voters connect the dots and say “OMG- the SPLC and Bensen support the KKK!”. I don’t think it’s going to have much impact since John James is a pitiful candidate and all the low-information voters are already voting Republican. But this is typical of the smear tactics employed by the GOP. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/62 "2026-08-18T18:02:32Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > I’m not prepared to say polls are somehow biased in favor of progressives based on a recent sample size of two elections. As it turns out, this particular case at least did have some polling fuckery going on: [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6035570-median-strategies-closes-fake-polls/](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6035570-median-strategies-closes-fake-polls/) > [@](#): > > “All previously published polling releases have been withdrawn and should not be cited or treated as genuine polling data,” the message read. “Median Strategies was created as a short-term social experiment examining how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification.” ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/63 "2026-08-19T00:54:45Z")
Yikes. That sucks. Anyway, just came in here to note that, in Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan, we now have a counter example of a Midwestern progressive greatly OVERperforming polls and winning an upset victory. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/64 "2026-08-19T01:06:04Z")
I wonder if that “social experiment” was coupled with a bunch of bets on the prediction markets. Wait, no, I don’t actually wonder about that, because I already know the answer. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/65 "2026-08-19T04:28:38Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Anyway, just came in here to note that, in Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan, we now have a counter example of a Midwestern progressive greatly OVERperforming polls and winning an upset victory. Wasn’t PillowMan also favored by double digits in polls and then lost badly? Looks like pollsters have really botched this primary cycle. But from what I understand, there were few high quality polls in any of these primary elections. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/66 "2026-08-19T20:47:09Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > in Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan, we now have a counter example of a Midwestern progressive greatly OVERperforming polls In today’s _New York Times_, Nate Cohn writes about three kinds of Democratic office-seekers: activist progressives, non-activist progressives, and moderates. His key example of a non-activist progressive is Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin - someone proven to be popular in a purple Midwestern state. Perhaps it’s worth noting that Baldwin and Flanagan are both _white_ (until you discover that Flanagan is Native American – and, Baldwin is gay. But still white). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/67 "2026-08-19T20:54:48Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Perhaps it’s worth noting that Baldwin and Flanagan are both _white_ (until you discover that Flanagan is Native American – and, Baldwin is gay. But still white). Or perhaps it’s not worth noting that. Most people will have some privileged category, especially since usually, it’s the majority category that’s privileged. In this case, you can say (with partial accuaracy) “both of these politicians are white”, but in another case, you might say “both of these politicians are male”, or “both of these politicians are straight”, or “both of these politicians are Christian”, or whatever. Now, if you took a list of the top 30 progressives who win elections in purple states, or whatever, and you found that all of them had some quality, then it might be worth saying that that quality is what makes them acceptable to purple electorates. But I don’t think you’re going to find that. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/68 "2026-08-19T21:32:44Z")
Apparently Lindell is asking for a recount of the Governor primary. Hope they get the money first > **[Lindell’s governor ticket challenges now-certified GOP primary defeat](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/08/19/mike-lindell-ticket-goes-to-mn-supreme-court-for-review-of-gop-primary-loss)** > > After a sound defeat in Minnesota’s Republican primary for governor, the running mate of Mike Lindell is pushing for a high court review of the election results. Brian ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/69 "2026-08-19T21:49:50Z")
As an elections worker (who lives two miles from Minnesota - and you!), if this happened in my state, and the recount actually took place (when the results weren’t in fact anywhere close to a tie), I’d say “FUCK OFF!” Does he have any idea how much (entirely unnecessary) work this would mean for thousands of people, professionals and trained volunteers alike? What a selfish prick. > [@Chronos](#): > > Now, if you took a list… True enough. Still, I’m quite sure that candidates are judged as “more progressive” than they really are (on average) if they happen to be anything but a white male, and “less progressive” than they really are (on average) if they are a woman or a person of color. I know I saw a study recently on the women-vs.-men aspect of this. It doesn’t apply in the case of Tammy Baldwin, that’s true – quite the opposite (many assume she’s _less_ progressive than her voting record reveals, even though she’s female. Cohn attributes this in part to her “cheesy” ads – literally, this being Wisconsin). Anyway, I agree it’s complicated, and best suited for a different thread. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/70 "2026-08-20T04:36:44Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Perhaps it’s worth noting that Baldwin and Flanagan are both _white_ (until you discover that Flanagan is Native American – and, Baldwin is gay. But still white). Then , Flanagan is not “white”. She is a member of the The _White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe_. > [@Chronos](#): > > Or perhaps it’s not worth noting that. Yeah, it is not worth noting, especially when incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/71 "2026-08-20T10:27:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Then , Flanagan is not “white”. She is a member of the The White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Flanagan is of mixed Ojibwe and Irish descent. She’s free to define herself as either white, Native American or both. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/72 "2026-08-20T15:49:03Z")
Yes, Nate Silver noted that Flanagan has the sort of solid resume of previous elected experience that leftist insurgents often lack. Perhaps that has a lot to do with her success. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/73 "2026-08-20T17:48:21Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > She’s free to define herself as either white, Native American or both. And how does she define hereself? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/74 "2026-08-20T17:54:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > And how does she define hereself? Both. From her [campaign website](https://peggyflanagan.com/): > [@](#): > > Born into an Indigenous and Irish family, Peggy is Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation. Her Anishinaabe name means “speaks in a loud and clear voice woman.” > [@](#): > > In 2015, Peggy was elected to the state legislature, where she led Democrats on child care issues and engaged her colleagues to form the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/75 "2026-08-26T03:41:42Z")
In the Iowa governor race, Zach Lahn (R) has a new ad attacking his opponent, Rob Sand (D). The claim is that Rob Sand is a billionaire. (Hmm, so billionaires are bad at governing? An interesting take from a Republican.) Rob Sand is _not_ a billionaire, having net worth of several hundred thousand dollars to a million or so, which isn’t that unattainable these days. But Rob Sands really is a billionaire. However, Rob Sands isn’t running for Iowa governor, Rob Sand is. Is Lahn confused, or trying to pull a quick one? ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/76 "2026-08-27T16:18:46Z")
Shocking no one Lindell did not fork over the money for a recount. [https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/elections/lindell-withholds-payment-recount-republican-gubernatorial-primary/89-81e33dc0-6cdf-4d58-a1f4-e7b6d0c7f6a0](https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/elections/lindell-withholds-payment-recount-republican-gubernatorial-primary/89-81e33dc0-6cdf-4d58-a1f4-e7b6d0c7f6a0) Brian ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/77 "2026-08-27T16:46:19Z")
He will gladly pay you Tuesday for a vote recount today. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/78 "2026-09-06T21:32:11Z")
Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio Amy Acton was attacked at a campaign event on Sunday. She is reported to be OK, but her specific condition is unknown. Her attacker was described as “armed”. > According to a statement put out by Acton’s campaign, an armed individual lunged at Acton while she was at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, resulting in the injuries of multiple people who were nearby. > **[Amy Acton attacked at campaign event near Youngstown; multiple people...](https://www.wlwt.com/article/amy-acton-attacked-at-campaign-event-near-youngstown/73625988)** > > Amy Acton was reportedly attacked at a campaign event near Youngstown on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/79 "2026-09-06T22:02:06Z")
Ohioan here. I dislike Acton and Ramaswamy. But if made to choose, I will go with whoever is less likely to support a lockdown. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125/80 "2026-09-06T22:15:43Z")
What kind of lockdown? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2026-governor-races/1032125.md?page=5)