Steve Simon has won a fourth term as Minnesota secretary of state, defeating Republican challenger Tad Jude in a race that put the state's elections chief under an unusually bright spotlight this cycle. Simon, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, first took office in January 2015 and now heads into another four years overseeing both the state's elections and its business registrations.
CBS News projected Simon's reelection, according to CBS News Minnesota, which named Riley Moser as a contributor. Vote-count figures reported on election night varied slightly by outlet: FOX 9 put Simon at 54.9% to Jude's 41.7% with 96% of votes counted. Minnesota's official election-results site notes that state and federal results remain unofficial until the State Canvassing Board meets to certify them, with that meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026.
A Career Rooted in St. Louis Park and Hopkins
Before becoming secretary of state, Simon spent a decade in the Minnesota House representing the Twin Cities suburbs of St. Louis Park and Hopkins, per FOX 9's reporting. During his time in the Legislature, he chaired the House Elections Committee, and he previously worked as an assistant attorney general and in private legal practice. Simon was sworn in as Minnesota's secretary of state in January 2015 and has held the office ever since.
The secretary of state's office is the state agency responsible for running Minnesota elections and maintaining business registrations, FOX 9 notes. That dual role has made the office a frequent target of political attention, and this year was no exception. MPR News reported that renewed federal scrutiny of state election administration, tied to the Trump administration's focus on the issue, helped elevate what might otherwise have been a lower-profile down-ballot race.
Democrats Sweep Statewide Constitutional Offices
Simon's win fit a broader pattern this cycle: MPR News reported that DFL candidates again swept Minnesota's statewide constitutional-officer races. Minnesota has also stood out nationally for its civic engagement in recent years. The state posted one of the country's highest overall voter turnouts in the 2024 presidential election.
Voter ID Remains a National Flashpoint
Voter identification requirements have become a recurring theme in election administration debates nationally.
For now, Simon's reelection gives him a fourth consecutive term atop an office that will continue to oversee both the mechanics of Minnesota voting and the certification process that follows every election. The State Canvassing Board's November 19 meeting will mark the next formal step in making this week's results official.
