Insights

The Next Legislature

The 2026 election season is upon us, and there is more at stake than ever before. The Minnesota State Capitol is about to undergo a major disruption in its political ecosystem. The results of the November elections have profound consequences for public policy in our state. All state constitutional officers are on the ballot, along with all 67 state Senate and 134 House districts, a U.S. Senate race, and all eight congressional seats.

2026 Institutional Knowledge Loss in Legislature

Institutional knowledge is the collective understanding, expertise, and information an organization possesses about its operations, history, and procedures.

What’s Ahead for the Legislature

The dynamics in the Capitol will undergo a significant shift in Hortman’s absence. She played a pivotal role in nearly every issue thanks to her skills. Others simply do not possess the same gravitas at this point in their careers—whether due to inexperience, political dynamics within the caucus, vision, or a mix of these factors.

End of Session Considerations – The Trifecta Trophies

As the 2025 Minnesota Legislature winds down and organizations consider the dynamics of the “Tiefecta” in the House, as well as the one-vote majority the DFL holds in the Senate, those advocating for policy changes outside the budget must take into account the DFL’s strength in negotiations.