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Fewer Republicans are running for state House and Senate seats this year than in any election in recent history. In contrast, the DFL is running candidates in all 201 districts.

Add that together and there are 21 "walkover" races, or contests in which DFL candidates have no major party opponent. These uncontested races not only give DFLers a head start on the road to a majority, they also suggest an enthusiasm gap. 

Where are these districts? Find the map here.

More than in most state House districts, candidates in 58A and 18A would do well to "dorm knock" as a way to court college student votes. Northfield’s Carleton College and St. Olaf College and St. Peter's Gustavus Adolphus College draw young voters into the southern Minnesota districts every election cycle.

While students don’t represent a majority voting bloc, strong turnout on campus can tip tight margins one way or another. It has also been known to cause tension between "town and gown."

Northfield farmer Mark Legvold wants to put the “F back in DFL," he said in between greasing and changing oil on his John Deere combine.

His campaign strategy in state Senate District 58 is centered around connecting with residents who’ve felt unheard by his party, like fellow farmers. Legvold has “gravel road Wednesdays” on his weekly schedule.

Both he and incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Lieske, agree that the district is purple. But the two label themselves quite differently.

Legvold is attempting to chart a moderate Democratic course. Lieske legislates from the right wing of his party, serving as a leader in the Minnesota Freedom Caucus and suggesting the Jan. 6 riot was a hoax on a podcast last year.

Check out the full district profile at minnpost.com.

Faribault's city council primary featured 10 candidates vying for three open seats, and the crowded field couldn’t escape one key question leading up to last week's election day: 

How do you feel about data centers? 

Candidates across the state are fielding that same question from voters. Many of them are running in direct response to concerns over data centers.

MinnPost monitored city council filings in six cities prominently linked to data center developments over the last couple of years: Faribault, Farmington, Hermantown, Monticello, North Mankato and Pine Island.

In all six, there was an uptick in candidate filings this year compared to previous elections.

One door knock at a time, Aaron Schweiger is challenging Republican incumbent Natalie Zeleznikar in a district spanning Two Harbors, Hermantown, Proctor and rural areas north of Duluth. He is one of two DFLers looking to unseat House Republicans in northeastern Minnesota, with Aaron Kania facing Rep. Roger Skraba of Ely.