Who is running for State Senate District 31 in Minnesota in 2026?

Calvin Bahr (R), Gadisa Berkessa (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 31

State Senate District 31 — 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

ACalvin BahrRepublican

Incumbent state senator, Senate District 31; 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 1/1. MCCL questionnaire: 11 pro-life of 11 answered; NRA-PVF grade A (NRA-PVF Endorsed). Party default applied for religious liberty. iVoterGuide rates Verified 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 Verified 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 1 of 1 recorded votes (100%). Conservative: voted against the 2023 omnibus tax bill (HF 1938).

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

Ballotpedia

DGadisa BerkessaDemocratic

Candidate for State Senator, District 31 (DFL).

LifeDFamilyDReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tCFiscalD

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

Life: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Liberal.
Family: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Liberal.
Religious liberty: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Liberal.
2nd Amendment: Moms Demand Action 2026 Gun Sense Candidate. Campaign site: 'Supporting responsible gun ownership. Respecting the Second Amendment. Keeping firearms away from criminals... Promoting safe storage.' (Signals conflict; lower grade F used.)
Limited gov’t: Campaign site: 'While I support Paid Family Leave, I believe regulations must be flexible' for small businesses (mixed).
Fiscal: No specific position found; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Liberal.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Ballotpedia

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