2026 Minnesota Voter Guide:
State Auditor

DRAFT — not for publication until spot-checked against sos.mn.gov and editorially reviewed.

Election day: November 3, 2026. Primary held August 11, 2026. This is an open seat: incumbent State Auditor Julie Blaha (DFL) announced in September 2025 that she is not seeking re-election. [1][2]

Series rule applied throughout: objective facts and law only, sourced-or-omitted. Candidate platform statements are attributed to the candidate or campaign, not asserted as fact. Every candidate receives the same five sections.

What the Minnesota State Auditor does

The Office of the State Auditor's core statutory duties are set out in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 6 ("Constitutional Offices and Duties"), verified against the Revisor of Statutes (2025 Minnesota Statutes, retrieved directly from revisor.mn.gov on 8/29/26). [3][4]

• County oversight. Minn. Stat. § 6.481, subd. 1 (2025), applies the auditor's powers to "the offices, institutions, public property, and improvements of several counties of the state," and provides (verbatim): "The state auditor may visit, without previous notice, each county and examine all accounts and records relating to the receipt and disbursement of the public funds and the custody of the public funds and other property." The auditor also prescribes uniform systems of accounts and financial reports. [3]
• Annual county audits. Minn. Stat. § 6.481, subd. 2 (2025) (verbatim): "A county must have an annual financial audit." A county may have the audit performed by the state auditor or by a CPA firm meeting the requirements of Minn. Stat. § 326A.05; CPA-firm audits must meet recognized industry auditing standards, and the state auditor may make additional examinations "in the public interest" (§ 6.481, subds. 2–3). [3]
• All other local governments. Minn. Stat. § 6.51 (2025) extends the auditor's supervision, inspection, and examination powers over city books and accounts (§ 6.50) "to all political subdivisions of this state." If an examination report discloses "malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office," the auditor must file the report with the county attorney, who "shall institute such proceedings as the law and the public interest require." [4]
• Scale, as reported. News coverage of this race describes the office as overseeing the financial integrity and accountability of local governments — roughly $60 billion in local spending across cities, counties, towns, and special districts — and notes the auditor also serves on state pension and investment boards. (Reported figures; not independently computed for this guide.) [5][6]

The State Auditor does not audit state agencies; that function belongs to the legislature's Office of the Legislative Auditor, a separate office. (Structural point; readers can confirm the OLA is a legislative office at the legislature's own site, which lists the "Office of the Legislative Auditor" among joint legislative offices.) [3]

The field

Note: Jensen defeated Nate George, the Republican Party of Minnesota's endorsed candidate for this office (endorsed at the May 2026 state convention). [8][9] Filipovich received the DFL endorsement on May 30, 2026. [8][10]

Polling: A KSTP/SurveyUSA poll conducted August 13–17, 2026 (661 likely voters, ±4.3%) reported Filipovich 39%, Jensen 39%, other 3%, undecided 19%. [8]

Zack Filipovich (DFL)

Identity & background

• Accountant; resides in Duluth. [11][12]
• Holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota Duluth (2024) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential, as reported by WDIO. Undergraduate education: no public record found in sources reviewed. [12]
• Career: WDIO reports he works as a business consultant and finance manager for a regional economic development nonprofit; Fox 21 reports he has spent "more than a decade working in public finance." [12][11]

Public service record

• Elected to the Duluth City Council (At-Large) in November 2013; Northern News Now reports he was the youngest councilor in Duluth's history when elected in 2013. [13][14]
• Re-elected in 2017; served two terms At-Large, 2014–2022. [15][2][7]
• Announced in April 2021 that he would not seek a third term. [16][17]
• Launched his State Auditor campaign November 13, 2025, at the Duluth Labor Temple. [11][12]
• Won the DFL endorsement May 30, 2026, and the DFL primary unopposed on August 11, 2026 (592,130 votes). [10][7]

Stated platform (his framing, attributed)

• Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey — his three key messages: "Oversight & Accountability," "Strengthening Our Local Communities," "Communicating & Building Trust." He writes that he "brings over a decade of accounting and financial expertise, 8 years as Duluth City Councilor, and a proven track record of fiscal responsibility." [7]
• At his announcement (WDIO): "I would be the first accountant in this role in 50 years. That experience matters." He said he wants to help local governments prevent fraud and provide "data, tools, and training." [12]
• To Fox 21: "State Auditor really connects with local communities, and so I want to use my experience as an accountant not only to help local communities prevent fraud, but help those local leaders with the data, tools, training that they need to make the best decisions for their own communities." [11]
• Campaign website slogan: "Honest Leadership. Honest Numbers."; states that government "should be transparent," "should be accountable," and "should share our values." [18]

Notable public-record items (two-outlet threshold)

• No licensing-board, litigation, or comparable public-record controversy involving Filipovich was found in coverage by two reputable outlets in the sources reviewed for this guide.

Supporters / critics

• Supporters: The Minnesota DFL endorsed Filipovich on May 30, 2026; other reported endorsements include the Minnesota AFL-CIO, SEIU Minnesota State Council (April 3, 2026), Education Minnesota, and Stonewall DFL. [10][8][7]
• Critics: Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash, in post-primary remarks reported by KSTP, criticized Filipovich's eight years in Duluth city government, associating them with "higher property-tax levies," and said "Putting Filipovich in charge of accountability is putting the fox in charge of the henhouse." [6]

Scott Jensen (Republican)

Identity & background

• Born November 19, 1954, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; physician. [19][20]
• Education: B.A. in physiology (1978) and M.D. (1981), University of Minnesota; attended Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary 1977–78; Bush Fellow at the University of Minnesota (1999). [19][20]
• Career: family medicine physician with a practice in Watertown, Minnesota, since 1986 (Catalyst Medical Clinic PA); has taught at the University of Minnesota Medical School; served on the Citizens Alliance Bank board as audit committee chair; named 2016 Minnesota Family Physician of the Year. [19][20]

Public service record

• Served on the Waconia school board during the 1990s and 2000s. [19]
• Minnesota Senate, District 47 (part of Carver County), January 2017 – January 2021; vice chair of the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. [19][20]
• Notable legislative items: chief-authored SF 278 (2019), the Minnesota Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act, and SF 277 (2019), a direct primary care framework — both reported by the Senate Republican Caucus as passing the Senate unanimously; supported a bill allowing local governments to adopt ranked-choice voting; voted for a ban on conversion therapy. His campaign states he "led the way" on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act (2020) (campaign's characterization; the Senate GOP caucus published his statement on the insulin conference committee). [21][22][19]
• Provided medical attention to Governor Mark Dayton when Dayton collapsed during the 2017 State of the State address. [19]
• Announced July 2019 he would not seek Senate re-election in 2020. [19]
• 2022 Republican nominee for governor; lost to incumbent Tim Walz 52.3%–44.6%. [19]
• Announced a 2026 run for governor on July 17, 2025; ended that bid February 9, 2026, and entered the State Auditor race the same day. [19][23][24]
• Won the Republican primary August 11, 2026, with 66.7%, defeating the GOP-endorsed candidate, Braham Mayor Nate George. [7][9][6]

Stated platform (his framing, attributed)

• Campaign website: he says the auditor should "open up the hood and look at what the engine of our government is doing," pledges to "declare war on waste, fraud, and abuse," and describes the office as a "watchdog" needed to "resurrect good government"; he cites fraud he says has made Minnesota "the laughingstock of the nation." The site also states he chaired the audit section of "a billion-dollar bank" for more than 10 years (campaign's claim; the bank board/audit-chair role is separately reported by Wikipedia). [25][19]
• Post-primary statement (KSTP): "Minnesotans deserve an auditor who will deliver lawful, efficient, and transparent governance," and "The epidemic of waste, fraud, and abuse will not stand under my leadership." [6]

Notable public-record items (two-outlet threshold)

• Medical licensing board reviews — all dismissed. In July 2020, Jensen disclosed that the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice was reviewing two complaints arising from his public remarks comparing COVID-19 to influenza and questioning death-certificate guidance; the board completed its review and dismissed the complaints without action on his license (Star Tribune; Southwest News Media). Over subsequent years the board opened a total of five investigations encompassing 18 complaints and one conference; all were dismissed without a contested hearing and without any corrective action against his license (as recited in federal court proceedings and reported by Minnesota Lawyer and CBS Minnesota). [26][27][28][29]
• His lawsuit against the board — dismissed. In 2023 Jensen sued the Board of Medical Practice (and the Attorney General) in federal court, alleging the investigations were retaliation for his speech. In April 2024 the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota dismissed the suit without prejudice for lack of standing (KSTP; CBS Minnesota; Minnesota Lawyer). [30][29][28]

Both entries state filings and dispositions; neither the complaints, the dismissals, nor the lawsuit resulted in discipline against Jensen's medical license.

Supporters / critics

• Supporters: Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash, after the primary, said "Scott Jensen has the experience, independence and proven willingness to ask hard questions and take on the political establishment," and that "Minnesota desperately needs a watchdog taxpayers can trust." [6]
• Critics: DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom, in a statement on Jensen's primary win, called Jensen "a wholly unqualified candidate whose career is marked with conspiracy theories, careless behavior, and loyalty to Donald Trump." [31][32]

Jay Reeves (Forward Independence Party)

Identity & background

• Retired U.S. Army major; resides in Victoria, Minnesota; married, six children (including one serving in the U.S. Army) and three grandchildren. (Primarily from his submitted Ballotpedia biography — self-reported — with core facts echoed in WDIO's announcement coverage.) [7][33]
• Education: M.S. in Health Informatics, University of Minnesota. [7][33]
• Career: enlisted in the Army after September 11, 2001, at age 31; served nearly 17 years, rising from Private (PV2) to Major (O-4), with a deployment to Iraq; later worked as a data integrity analyst for the Defense Health Agency and in the civilian sector. Diagnosed with cancer in 2022, which he reports was presumptively linked to burn-pit exposure during his deployment; medically retired in 2023. Raised in a union household on Saint Paul's East Side; a former Teamster. [7][33]

Public service record

• His public-service record is his military service, as described above — as reported by WDIO and in his self-submitted Ballotpedia biography; no elective or appointive civilian office was found in sources reviewed. [33][7]
• Launched his State Auditor campaign in late December 2025 (WDIO announcement coverage). [33]
• On the November ballot by petition under the Forward Independence Party designation; the party lists him as its endorsed candidate. [8][34]

Stated platform (his framing, attributed)

From his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey and announcement coverage: - "First, a relentless focus on cybersecurity" — safeguarding public data with Minnesota IT Services support. [7] - "Second, the adoption of cutting-edge technology to detect fraud in real time" — leveraging tools such as PowerBI to "identify anomalies as they happen." [7] - "Third, streamlined reporting systems to help local governments succeed" — an interactive submission portal and prioritization tool for faster audits. [7] - He states the auditor's most important qualities are "Independence and Objectivity … the ability to operate free from political pressure or party influence," and told WDIO: "Minnesotans deserve a State Auditor who answers to the people, not to political parties." [7][33]

Notable public-record items (two-outlet threshold)

• No licensing-board, litigation, or comparable public-record controversy involving Reeves was found in coverage by two reputable outlets in the sources reviewed for this guide.

Supporters / critics

• Supporters: The Forward Independence Party lists Reeves as its candidate for State Auditor; he is also listed as a candidate by the Independent Veterans of America. [34][35]
• Critics: No published critical coverage of Reeves by a reputable outlet was found in the sources reviewed for this guide — no public record found.

Equal-treatment check

All three candidates receive the same five sections (identity/background, public service record, stated platform, notable public-record items, supporters/critics). Depth differences reflect differences in the available public record, not editorial choice: Jensen has a 10-year statewide public profile and extensive third-party coverage; Filipovich's record is documented mainly in Duluth-market and party sources; Reeves's biography rests largely on self-reported material (flagged inline) because independent coverage is thin. Platform statements for all three are attributed, never asserted. The one "notable public-record items" entry (Jensen) meets the two-outlet rule and states dispositions (all dismissals) with the same prominence as the filings.

Sources

All web sources accessed August 29, 2026, unless noted.

1. Office of the State Auditor press release, "Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026" (Sept. 4, 2025) — https://www.auditor.state.mn.us/news/updates/press-releases-articles/2025/minnesota-state-auditor-julie-blaha-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2026-for-september-4-2025/ (cited via [8])
2. KSTP (J. Skluzacek), "Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha says she won't seek reelection in 2026" (Sept. 4, 2025) — https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minnesota-state-auditor-julie-blaha-says-she-wont-seek-reelection-in-2026/ (cited via [8])
3. Minn. Stat. § 6.481 (2025) — https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/6.481 (retrieved raw via curl, 8/29/26; quotes verbatim)
4. Minn. Stat. § 6.51 (2025) — https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/6.51 (retrieved raw via curl, 8/29/26; quotes verbatim)
5. Post Bulletin, "Filipovich, Jensen appear to be headed to November ballot for Minnesota auditor" (Aug. 2026) — https://www.postbulletin.com/news/minnesota/filipovich-jensen-appear-to-be-headed-to-november-ballot-for-minnesota-auditor
6. KSTP, "GOP primary for State Auditor pits name recognition vs. party support" (post-primary, Aug. 2026) — https://kstp.com/politics/elections-news/gop-primary-for-state-auditor-pits-name-recognition-vs-party-support/
7. Ballotpedia, "Minnesota Auditor election, 2026" and candidate pages "Zack Filipovich," "Scott Jensen (Minnesota)," "Jay Reeves (Minnesota)" — https://ballotpedia.org/Minnesota_Auditor_election,2026 ; https://ballotpedia.org/Zack_Filipovich ; https://ballotpedia.org/Scott_Jensen(Minnesota) ; https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Reeves_(Minnesota) (incl. Candidate Connection survey responses; primary vote totals)
8. Wikipedia, "2026 Minnesota State Auditor election" — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Minnesota_State_Auditor_election (raw wikitext retrieved 8/29/26; poll citation: KSTP/SurveyUSA via KSTP, Aug. 19, 2026)
9. KAAL, "Minnesota GOP Convention: Endorsement…" (May 30, 2026) — https://www.kaaltv.com/news/minnesota-gop-convention-endorsement-for-a-gubernatorial-candidate-set-for-saturday/ (cited via [8]); Valley News Live, "Scott Jensen wins Republican primary for Minnesota State Auditor" (Aug. 12, 2026) — https://www.valleynewslive.com/2026/08/12/scott-jensen-wins-republican-primary-minnesota-state-auditor/
10. Minnesota DFL, "DFL Endorses Zack Filipovich for State Auditor" (May 30, 2026) — https://dfl.org/dfl-endorses-zack-filipovich-for-state-auditor/ (cited via [8])
11. Fox 21 (E. Allen), "Filipovich announces run for State Auditor" (Nov. 13, 2025) — https://www.fox21online.com/news/filipovich-announces-run-for-state-auditor/article_5f9b48c2-47d4-589b-bbb1-220feb16b486.html (retrieved raw via curl, 8/29/26)
12. WDIO, "Former Duluth Councilor launches campaign for State Auditor" (Nov. 14, 2025) — https://www.wdio.com/front-page/local-news/former-duluth-councilor-launches-campaign-for-state-auditor/
13. Duluth News Tribune, "Filipovich, Russ win Duluth City Council At Large seats" (Nov. 2013) — http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/filipovich-russ-win-duluth-city-council-large-seats
14. Northern News Now, "Former Duluth Councilor running for State Auditor" (Nov. 13, 2025) — https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2025/11/13/former-duluth-councilor-running-state-auditor/
15. Duluth News Tribune, "Three of four incumbents re-elected to Duluth City Council" (Nov. 2017) — https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4356027-three-four-incumbents-re-elected-duluth-city-council
16. Fox 21, "Longtime Duluth City Councilor Zack Filipovich Not Seeking Re-Election" (Apr. 14, 2021) — https://www.fox21online.com/2021/04/14/longtime-duluth-city-councilor-zack-filipovich-not-seeking-re-election/
17. Duluth News Tribune, "Duluth Councilor Filipovich will not run for re-election" (Apr. 2021) — https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/6985654-Duluth-Councilor-Filipovich-will-not-run-for-re-election
18. Zack Filipovich campaign website — https://zackformn.com/
19. Wikipedia, "Scott Jensen (Minnesota politician)" — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Jensen_(Minnesota_politician) (raw wikitext retrieved 8/29/26)
20. Ballotpedia, "Scott Jensen (Minnesota)" — https://ballotpedia.org/Scott_Jensen_(Minnesota) (retrieved raw via curl, 8/29/26)
21. Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus, "Sen. Jensen, MN Senate pass health care reform bills" — https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/sen-jensen-mn-senate-pass-health-care-reform-bills/
22. Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus, "Senator Scott Jensen expresses appreciation for insulin conference committee" — https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/senator-scott-jensen-expresses-appreciation-for-insulin-conference-committee/
23. Minnesota Reformer, "Scott Jensen drops out of Minnesota governor's race, will now run for state auditor" (Feb. 2026) — https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/scott-jensen-drops-out-of-minnesota-governors-race-will-now-run-for-state-auditor/
24. Axios Twin Cities, "Scott Jensen drops GOP bid for governor to run for auditor" (Feb. 10, 2026) — https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/02/10/scott-jensen-governor-auditor-minnesota-republican ; CBS Minnesota — https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/scott-jensen-minnesota-governor-state-auditor/
25. Scott Jensen campaign website — https://www.drscottjensen.com/
26. Star Tribune, "Sen. Scott Jensen says probe ends over his comments questioning COVID-19 deaths" (2020) — https://www.startribune.com/physician-senator-says-probe-ends-over-his-comments-questioning-covid-19-deaths/571936032/
27. Southwest News Media (Chaska Herald), "Sen. Scott Jensen says medical board dismisses investigation" — https://www.swnewsmedia.com/chaska_herald/news/local/sen-scott-jensen-says-medical-board-dismisses-investigation/article_645e9103-db1a-5984-93f6-efbd892504ce.html
28. Minnesota Lawyer, "Court dismisses Scott Jensen's lawsuit against Minnesota medical board" (Apr. 10, 2024) — https://minnlawyer.com/2024/04/10/court-dismisses-scott-jensens-lawsuit-against-medical-board/
29. CBS Minnesota, "Scott Jensen's lawsuit against Minnesota AG, medical board dismissed by federal court" (2024) — https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/scott-jensen-lawsuit-dismissed-minnesota-federal-court/
30. KSTP, "Scott Jensen's lawsuit against Minnesota Board of Medical Practice dismissed" (2024) — https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/scott-jensens-lawsuit-against-minnesota-board-of-medical-practice-dismissed/
31. Minnesota DFL, "DFL Party Statement on Scott Jensen Winning GOP Primary for State Auditor" (Aug. 2026) — https://dfl.org/dfl-party-statement-on-scott-jensen-winning-gop-primary-for-state-auditor/
32. Valley News Live, "DFL responds to loss of another GOP gubernatorial candidate" (Feb. 10, 2026) — https://www.valleynewslive.com/2026/02/10/dfl-responds-loss-another-gop-gubernatorial-candidate/
33. WDIO, "New candidate launches campaign for Minnesota State Auditor" (Dec. 2025) — https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/new-candidate-launches-campaign-for-minnesota-state-auditor/
34. Forward Independence Party, "Candidate Jay Reeves" — https://www.forwardindependencemn.org/candidate_jay_reeves
35. Independent Veterans of America, candidate listing: Jay Reeves — https://independentveteransofamerica.org/candidates/jay-reeves/

Limitations

1. sos.mn.gov not directly consulted — the Secretary of State site is bot-blocked; the three-candidate field is cross-confirmed by Ballotpedia, Wikipedia, and the series roster file. Spot-check "What's on my ballot" from a normal browser before publication.
2. Primary vote-total discrepancy. Ballotpedia and Wikipedia report slightly different certified totals (e.g., Jensen: 258,740 vs. 258,740; Filipovich: 592,130 vs. 592,757). This guide uses Ballotpedia's figures. Reconcile against the Secretary of State's certified canvass before publication.
3. Filipovich thin spots: undergraduate education not found in reviewed sources; his MBA/CMA and current employment rest on a single outlet (WDIO). Council leadership roles (e.g., committee chairmanships) circulated in search results could not be verified against a specific article and were omitted.
4. Reeves thin sourcing: his biography is largely self-reported (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection submitted biography), flagged inline; WDIO's announcement article independently reports the core facts but military service records were not independently verified. No critic coverage found.
5. Jensen campaign claims (e.g., "chairman of audit section at a billion-dollar bank," leadership on the insulin act) are attributed to his campaign or the Senate GOP caucus, not independently verified, except where Wikipedia separately reports the bank audit-committee role.
6. KARE 11 and some outlets bot-blocked; their content is cited via Wikipedia's citations or parallel coverage.
7. Poll: single public poll (KSTP/SurveyUSA, Aug. 13–17); cited via Wikipedia's citation of KSTP.
8. Statute quotes were taken verbatim from raw revisor.mn.gov pages (curl), per series rule; all other chapter 6 duties are summarized, not quoted.