Erin Murphy
Erin Murphy
Minnesota Democratic Governor nominee?
$482.5K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age66 years old (Mar 13, 1960)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
LocationMinnesota
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (B.S.)
Notable personal detailsErin P. Murphy is a Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) politician serving in the Minnesota Senate (District 64) and has been Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate since February 6, 2024. She previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives (2007–2019), including as House Majority Leader (2013–2015). Murphy is a registered nurse and has worked as executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association, and in state government roles including legislative director for former Minnesota Attorney General Hubert H. Humphrey III.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Healthcare
Supports moving Minnesota toward a single-payer or guaranteed-universal coverage model by expanding MinnesotaCare and creating a public option/buy-in with the goal of guaranteeing health care for all residents. Emphasizes removing private insurers from the middle of care delivery and reducing cost barriers to medications and services. Has led and promoted organizing efforts and endorsements around single-payer priorities.
Immigration & Border
Supports protecting immigrants and refugees, opposes state or local law enforcement acting as extensions of ICE, and has said Minnesota should be a welcoming place for newcomers while questioning aggressive ICE practices. Has pledged to support restoring driver’s licenses for undocumented residents and opposes new immigration detention facilities in the state.
Show moreShow less
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports reproductive freedom and is unequivocally pro-choice, advocating protections for abortion access and for ensuring access to contraception, women’s health clinics, and abortion services. Has a pro-choice voting record and endorsements from pro-choice organizations.
Climate & Energy
Supports a transition to 100% clean energy, opposes new fossil-fuel infrastructure such as Line 3 and certain mining projects, and calls for investments in clean energy, water protection, and climate justice for impacted communities.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports banning assault weapons and restricting high-capacity magazines, requires universal background checks, and calls for treating gun-violence research as a public‑health priority while pursuing police reform as part of addressing gun violence.
News
Erin Murphy is in the news because Minnesota is heading into early voting for its 2026 primary, where the governor’s race is expected to be crowded and competitive. The reports do not give new details about Murphy’s own campaign, but they place her in the middle of a high-profile election cycle with several major races drawing attention.
Early voting starts Friday. What do voters need to know?
Keith Ellison won’t run for governor, will seek reelection as attorney general
With limited political power, Minnesota Democrats navigate resistance to Trump
From fraud allegations to federal force, Minnesota faces widening crisis
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising