Research Fellow Eric Ostermeier, founder of the Smart Politics blog, published “Cracks in the Foundation: High Profile Victories Overshadow DFL’s Narrowing Geographic Support in Minnesota” in Middle West Review. 

Ostermeier found that Republicans in statewide races have seen the longest losing streak in Minnesota history. But a majority of the consecutive GOP losses have been single-digit affairs. 

He noted that in the 2024 elections, the DFL saw its 13th consecutive win by a Democratic presidential candidate along with the Senate’s eighth consecutive DFL win. The parties split the state’s congressional districts, with the DFL consolidating support in the Twin Cities suburbs, while Republicans have made considerable gains in Greater Minnesota. 

The DFL continues to win statewide, but its waning control outside of urban and college areas signals a weak point if Republicans can capitalize in already close urban elections.