Minnesota Democratic Governor nominee?
$459.8K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age62 years old (Dec 17, 1963)
GenderMale
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LocationMinnesota
BackgroundAttorney
EducationMacalester College — B.A., Political Science
Notable personal detailsBobby Joe Champion is an American attorney and politician who represents Minnesota Senate District 59 (Minneapolis) and has served as President of the Minnesota Senate. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives (2009–2012) and has been in the Minnesota Senate since 2013. He earned a B.A. in political science from Macalester College and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, and has also worked as an assistant Minnesota attorney general.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports progressive tax measures and increased investments to fund economic and workforce programs; has backed revenue-raising changes targeted at high-income households and measures to preserve or expand state investments in jobs, economic development, and public services.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare including expanding MinnesotaCare as a buy‑in pathway toward universal coverage; advocates lowering prescription drug costs, protecting reproductive health care, addressing racial disparities in health outcomes, and expanding treatment and supports for substance use disorder.
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Immigration & Border
Bobby Joe Champion opposes aggressive federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, has condemned targeted ICE actions against Somali Minnesotans, and has called for ICE to leave Minneapolis and for investigations into alleged constitutional violations by ICE. He advocates protections for immigrant communities and legal due-process safeguards while pursuing state-level measures to address rights violations tied to enforcement activity.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Bobby Joe Champion has supported legislative efforts that codify and protect abortion and broader reproductive freedom in Minnesota state law and presided over floor debate and legislative action enacting those protections. He participated in and signed the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, which establishes reproductive freedom including abortion as a state-level right.
Climate & Energy
The candidate has sponsored legislation requiring the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to consider cumulative pollution and identify environmental justice areas in air-permitting decisions, and has led related committee work to advance those protections. His legislative record shows support for regulatory measures addressing pollution disproportionally affecting low-income and BIPOC communities and for policies that strengthen environmental review and community participation.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports restricting firearms in certain public settings and implementing weapons screening to protect public officials and visitors, and has called for steps to improve safety following shootings targeting legislators.
News
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced he will not run for governor in 2026 and will instead seek reelection as attorney general. This decision reshapes the Democratic field for the 2026 gubernatorial race, affecting the broader contest in which Bobby Joe Champion is a candidate.
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New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising