Who is running for State Senate District 4 in Minnesota in 2026?

Rob Kupec (D), Austin Peterson (R)

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 4

State Senate District 4 — 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

FRob KupecDemocratic

Incumbent state senator, Senate District 4; DFL.

LifeFFamilyFReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tFFiscalF

Incumbent DFL; voted the conservative way on scored roll calls: pro-life 0/2, marriage/gender 0/3, Second Amendment 0/3, limited government 0/2, fiscal 0/2. Did not respond to MCCL's questionnaire; NRA-PVF grade F. Party default applied for religious liberty. iVoterGuide rates Verified Liberal.

Life: Voted the conservative way on 0 of 2 recorded votes (0%). Liberal: voted for the 2023 PRO Act (HF 1) and the 2023 health bill repealing abortion restrictions (SF 2995).
Family: Voted the conservative way on 0 of 3 recorded votes (0%). Liberal: voted for 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; DFL; iVoterGuide rates Verified Liberal.
2nd Amendment: Voted the conservative way on 0 of 3 recorded votes (0%). Liberal: voted for 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 0 of 2 recorded votes (0%). Liberal: voted for the 2023 ERA constitutional amendment (SF 37) and the 2023 paid-leave mandate (HF 2).
Fiscal: Voted the conservative way on 0 of 2 recorded votes (0%). Liberal: voted for the 2023 omnibus tax bill (HF 1938) and the 2024 tax omnibus (HF 5247).

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

Ballotpedia

BAustin PetersonRepublican

Candidate for State Senator, District 4 (Republican).

LifeAFamilyBReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentALimited gov’tAFiscalB

Non-incumbent Republican; no legislative voting record in the scored roll calls. MCCL questionnaire: 11 pro-life of 11 answered; NRA-PVF grade AQ (NRA-PVF Endorsed). Party default applied for marriage/gender, religious liberty, limited government, and fiscal. iVoterGuide rates Conservative. Evidence pass 2026-10-29: limited government A (campaign site). Still party default: marriage, religious liberty, fiscal.

Life: MCCL 2026 questionnaire: 11 of 11 answered questions given the pro-life answer (all pro-life answers).
Family: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
Religious liberty: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.
2nd Amendment: NRA-PVF 2026 grade: AQ (NRA-PVF Endorsed).
Limited gov’t: Campaign site: 'I believe government works best when it is limited, responsible, and focused on serving the people (not itself).'
Fiscal: No specific position found; Republican; iVoterGuide rates Conservative.

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

Ballotpedia

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