Who is running for State Senate District 27 in Minnesota in 2026?

Andrew Mathews (R), Brandon Van Dover (D)

When is the Minnesota 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Minnesota › Races › State Senate District 27

State Senate District 27 — Minnesota 2026

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Minnesota Secretary of State files, as of October 29, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

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Candidates

AAndrew MathewsRepublican

Incumbent state senator, Senate District 27; Republican.

LifeAFamilyAReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentALimited gov’tAFiscalA

Incumbent Republican; voted the conservative way on scored roll calls: pro-life 2/2, marriage/gender 3/3, Second Amendment 3/3, limited government 2/2, fiscal 2/2. MCCL questionnaire: 11 pro-life of 11 answered; NRA-PVF grade A (NRA-PVF Endorsed). Party default applied for religious liberty. iVoterGuide rates Conservative.

Life: Voted the conservative way on 2 of 2 recorded votes (100%). Conservative: voted against the 2023 PRO Act (HF 1) and the 2023 health bill repealing abortion restrictions (SF 2995).
Family: Voted the conservative way on 3 of 3 recorded votes (100%). Conservative: voted against the 2023 trans refuge law (HF 146), the 2023 conversion-therapy ban (HF 16), and the 2023 ERA constitutional amendment (SF 37).
Religious liberty: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
2nd Amendment: Voted the conservative way on 3 of 3 recorded votes (100%). Conservative: voted against the 2023 public safety bill with red-flag/background-check provisions (SF 2909), the 2024 binary-trigger/straw-purchase bill (HF 2609), and the 2026 assault-weapons sales ban package (SF 4067).
Limited gov’t: Voted the conservative way on 2 of 2 recorded votes (100%). Conservative: voted against the 2023 ERA constitutional amendment (SF 37) and the 2023 paid-leave mandate (HF 2).
Fiscal: Voted the conservative way on 2 of 2 recorded votes (100%). Conservative: voted against the 2023 omnibus tax bill (HF 1938) and the 2024 tax omnibus (HF 5247).

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

DBrandon Van DoverDemocratic

Candidate for State Senator, District 27 (DFL).

LifeDFamilyDReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentBLimited gov’tDFiscalC

Non-incumbent DFL; no legislative voting record in the scored roll calls. Did not respond to MCCL's questionnaire; NRA-PVF grade B. Party default applied for pro-life, marriage/gender, religious liberty, Second Amendment, limited government, and fiscal. iVoterGuide rates Insufficient Information. Evidence pass 2026-10-29: fiscal C (campaign site). Still party default: pro-life, marriage, religious liberty, limited government.

Life: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Insufficient Information.
Family: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Insufficient Information.
Religious liberty: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Insufficient Information.
2nd Amendment: NRA-PVF 2026 grade B.
Limited gov’t: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Insufficient Information.
Fiscal: Campaign site: 'I oppose new taxes on working families, and I believe we should demand more from our government instead of asking taxpayers to pay more' (qualified to working families).

Sources: [1] [2]

Ballotpedia

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