Erin Murphy
Erin Murphy
Minnesota Democratic Governor nominee?
$459.8K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age66 years old (Mar 13, 1960)
GenderFemale
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LocationMinnesota
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (B.S., Nursing)
Notable personal detailsErin Murphy is a Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) politician and registered nurse who represents Minnesota Senate District 64 (St. Paul). She has served as Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate since 2024 and previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019, including as House Majority Leader (2013–2015). She was formerly executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association and was the DFL-endorsed candidate for governor in 2018.
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.
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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
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he will not run for governor in 2026 and will instead seek reelection as attorney general. His decision reshapes the Democratic field for the 2026 gubernatorial race, affecting the landscape in which Erin Murphy is a candidate.
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
What's the matter with Minnesota?
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
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