{{Short description|Political party in Minnesota, United States}} {{Redirect|DFL}} {{about|the current Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party|the historical party|Minnesota Democratic Party}} {{Use American English|date = August 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date = August 2019}} {{Infobox political party | name = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | logo = MN DFL logo.svg | colorcode = {{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}} | abbreviation = DFL | chairperson = Richard Carlbom | leader1_title = Governor of Minnesota | leader1_name = Tim Walz | leader2_title = Lieutenant governor of Minnesota | leader2_name = Peggy Flanagan | leader3_title = Senate President | leader3_name = Bobby Joe Champion | leader4_title = Senate Leader | leader4_name = Erin Murphy | leader5_title = House Leader | leader5_name = Zack Stephenson | founded = {{Start date and age|1944|04|15}} | merger = Minnesota Democratic Party and Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party<ref name=Committee>{{cite web |date=2023 |title=FARMER-LABOR EDUCATION COMMITTEE |url=https://farmerlaboreducation.com/documentary |website=farmerlaboreducation.com |location=Minnesota |publisher=FARMER-LABOR EDUCATION COMMITTEE |access-date=2025-02-26 |quote=The Farmer-Labor movement founded the most successful third party in U.S. political history. This progressive movement elected candidates and advanced political change in Minnesota from 1917 until it merged with the Democrats in 1944, to form the DFL, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.}}</ref><ref name=TBT>{{cite web |title=ABOUT FARMER-LABOR MOVEMENT: A MINNESOTA STORY |url=https://www.tpt.org/farmer-labor-movement-a-minnesota-story/ |website= |date=June 6, 2023 |location=Minnesota |publisher=Twin Cities PBS |access-date=2025-02-26 |quote=Documentary about the history of the progressive Farmer-Labor movement in Minnesota from 1915 to 1944, when the party merged with the Democrats to form the DFL, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.}}</ref> | headquarters = 255 Plato Boulevard East<br>Saint Paul, Minnesota | youth_wing = Minnesota Young DFL (MYDFL) | ideology = {{ubl| |Liberalism<ref>{{cite web |last=Levitz |first=Eric |date=2023-06-12 |title=Why Are Minnesota Democrats So Progressive? |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06/why-are-minnesota-democrats-so-progressive.html |website=nymag.com |publisher=New York Magazine |quote=But this also had the effect of rendering it more uniformly liberal. |access-date=2026-01-03}}</ref> |Progressivism<ref>{{cite web |last=Paxton |first=Gabriel |date=2024-09-26 |title=Who is Tim Walz? Understanding the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party can help make sense of the VP candidate |url=https://theconversation.com/who-is-tim-walz-understanding-the-minnesota-democratic-farmer-labor-party-can-help-make-sense-of-the-vp-candidate-239027 |website=Theconversation.com |publisher=The Conversation |quote=Among other Midwestern state political parties, like the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, Farmer-Labor is one of the most progressive and successful. |access-date=2025-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Walrath-Holdridge |first=Mary |date=2024-08-06 |title=What is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party? What to know about Tim Walz's Minnesota party |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/06/minnesota-democratic-farmer-labor-party-vp-pick-tim-walz/74688152007/ |website=usatoday.com |publisher=USA Today |access-date=2025-02-26 |quote=The party champions progressive politics, including "stable employment with fair wages," "proper education," "accessible and affordable healthcare," "safe communities" and the rights of Minnesotans to "raise and provide for a family" and "retire with dignity and security," according to the DFL website […] With such a long history and strong presence in Minnesota, DFL has been tied to several, generally progressive movements and legislation.}}</ref><ref name=Midwestern>{{cite web |last=Paxton |first=Gabriel |date=2024-09-26 |title=Who is Tim Walz? Understanding the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party can help make sense of the VP candidate |url=https://theconversation.com/who-is-tim-walz-understanding-the-minnesota-democratic-farmer-labor-party-can-help-make-sense-of-the-vp-candidate-239027 |website=Theconversation.com |publisher=The Conversation |quote=[...] Walz follows a rich lineage of Midwestern progressive politics that starts with the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, a state affiliate of the Democratic Party that maintains the traditions and values of populist farmer politics in the American Midwest. |access-date=2025-02-26}}</ref> |Populism<ref>{{cite web |last=Bush |first=Daniel |date=2020-10-02 |title='They forget about us.' In Minnesota, moderate Democrats feel left behind by their party |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/they-forget-about-us-in-minnesota-moderate-democrats-feel-left-behind-by-their-party |website=pbs.org |location=MN |publisher=PBS news |quote=[...] a unique history of liberal populism embodied by its Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. |access-date=2025-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Henderson |first=O. Kay |date=2025-03-15 |title=Walz, in Iowa stop, says Democrats need to be less timid |url=https://www.radioiowa.com/2025/03/15/walz-in-iowa-stop-says-democrats-need-to-be-less-timid/ |website=radioiowa.com |location=Iowa, US |publisher=Radio Iowa |quote=According to Walz, his party needs a rebranding and Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and the state’s brand of populism are a start. |access-date=2025-09-29}}</ref> }} | position = Center-left<ref name=DFL>{{cite web |last=Elassar |first=Alaa |date=2020-02-21 |title=Minnesota's constitution still allows slavery as a punishment for crimes. Now lawmakers are trying to change that |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/21/us/minnesota-remove-slavery-punishment-constitution-trnd/index.html |website=Cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=2025-02-25 |quote=Lesch represents the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, a center-left political party in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is affiliated with the Democratic Party.}}</ref> | national = Democratic Party<ref name=DFL /><ref>{{cite web |last=Paxton |first=Gabriel |date=2024-09-26 |title=Who is Tim Walz? Understanding the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party can help make sense of the VP candidate |url=https://theconversation.com/who-is-tim-walz-understanding-the-minnesota-democratic-farmer-labor-party-can-help-make-sense-of-the-vp-candidate-239027 |website=Theconversation.com |publisher=The Conversation |access-date=2025-02-26 |quote=[…] Walz follows a rich lineage of Midwestern progressive politics that starts with the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, a state affiliate of the Democratic Party that maintains the traditions and values of populist farmer politics in the American Midwest... Over the next several decades, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party pushed for pragmatic and progressive politics within the state’s Democratic Party.}}</ref> | colors = {{Color box|{{party color|Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party}}|border=darkgray}} Blue | seats1_title = State Senate | seats1 = {{Composition bar|34|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | seats2_title = State House | seats2 = {{Composition bar|67|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | seats3_title = Statewide Executive Offices | seats3 = {{Composition bar|5|5|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party}}}} | seats4_title = U.S. Senate | seats4 = {{Composition bar|2|2|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | seats5_title = U.S. House of Representatives | seats5 = {{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | website = {{URL|https://dfl.org/}} | state = Minnesota | symbol = 100px }}
The '''Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party''' ('''DFL''') is a political party in the U.S. state of Minnesota affiliated with the national Democratic Party.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0000152/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=DFL Minnesota Home – MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |url=https://www.dfl.org/ |access-date=2021-11-10 |website=DFL Minnesota |language=en-US}}</ref> The party was formed by a merger between the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1944.<ref name=":0" /> The DFL is one of two state Democratic Party affiliates with a different name from that of the national party, the other being the neighboring North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party.<ref name=":2" />
The DFL controls four of Minnesota's eight United States House of Representatives seats, both of its United States Senate seats, the Minnesota Senate, and all other statewide offices, including the Governor of Minnesota, making it the dominant party in the state. In the Minnesota House of Representatives, it has a power-sharing agreement with its main political rival, the Republican Party of Minnesota, following a tie in the 2024 Minnesota House of Representatives election.
==History== {{further|History of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}
=== Background === The progressive movement in Minnesota following the American Civil War was initially contained within the Minnesota Republican Party. However, by the 1880s, the Republican party became less receptive to progressive reform. The Farmer's Alliance and Knights of Labor, rising in political power, initially attempted to bring progressivism to the Minnesota Democratic party, during the 1886 gubernatorial campaign of A. A. Ames.<ref>{{cite news|title=A BIG DAY FOR DONNELLY|publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=September 24, 1886|url=https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp18860924.1.5&srpos=2&e=------188-en-20--1--img-txIN-Democratic+Convention+Ames----1886-------|access-date=April 18, 2026}}</ref> After his defeat, the Farmer's Alliance and Knights of Labor failed to regain influence within either the Republican or Democratic parties. In 1890, the Farmer's Alliance organized the campaign of Sidney M. Owen as a third-party candidate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sidney (S.M.) Owen|url=https://mn.electionarchives.lib.umn.edu/candidate/sidney-sm-owen/}}</ref> Despite Owen's electoral failure, the Farmer's Alliance secured enough of a voting base that in 1892, they joined with the Populists, who would be able to outperform the Democrats.<ref>{{cite news|title=OWEN WILL BE CHOSEN|date=July 11, 1894|publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press|url=https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp18940711.1.6&srpos=19&e=------189-en-20--1--img-txIN-Owen----1894-------}}</ref> In 1896, a fusion ticket with the Democrats would be created, headed by John Lind. On his second gubernatorial run in 1898, the fusion ticket would be successful.<ref>{{cite news|title=YES, MR. LIND DID SAY IT|publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=November 19, 1898|url=https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp18981119.1.1&srpos=4&e=------189-en-20--1--img-txIN-Lind----1898-------}}</ref> However, Lind would only serve one term. In 1902, the fusion was broken, and the poor performance of the Populists would be the end of the party. Progressives continued to dominate the Democratic party for the rest of the decade, before slowly losing influence.<ref>{{cite news|title=SEES NO HOPE FOR DEMOCRATS|publisher=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=July 4, 1902|url=https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19020704.1.2&srpos=26&e=------190-en-20--21--img-txIN-Rosing----1902-------}}</ref>
The Nonpartisan League (NPL), founded in North Dakota in 1915 was an agrarian party focused on farmer grievances against corporate monopolies.<ref>{{cite book |author=Goldstein, Robert Justin |title=Political Repression in Modern America |title-link=Political Repression in Modern America |publisher=University of Illinois Press |year=2001 |isbn=0-252-06964-1 |page=99}}</ref> It expanded to Minnesota in 1917 and in 1918 it merged with the Duluth Union Labor Party to create the Farmer–Labor Party (FLP).
During the 1930s, the FLP gained support for radical platforms aimed at addressing economic and social inequalities. The party won the 1930 gubernatorial election under Floyd B. Olson. During this decade, Democrats had minimal success in the state, as the FLP effectively captured the left-wing vote and drew support away from urban workers, rural farmers, and immigrants. The party often won only single digits in statewide races as the FLP aligned informally with Roosevelt's New Deal coalition.
Following Olson's death in 1936, Hjalmar Petersen became governor until the inauguration of Elmer Benson. Olson was the unifying figure in the party, and both Benson and Petersen claimed to be his successor. In 1938, Petersen and Benson ran against each other in the primary. Benson led the radical wing, while Petersen led the more moderate leftist wing. Benson would win the primary, but lose the general election.<ref>{{cite web|title=Governor, 1938 Election|publisher=Minnesota Historical Election Archive|url=https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319384032420600/}}</ref><ref name="y283">{{cite web |last=Keillor |first=Steven |date=1983 |title=A COUNTRY EDITOR IN POLITICS: Hjalmar Petersen, Minnesota Governor |url=https://storage.googleapis.com/mnhs-org-support/mn_history_articles/48/v48i07p283-294.pdf |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref> Following Benson's defeat, Petersen's faction dominated the FLP. The party suffered further setbacks in 1940 and 1942, losing congressional seats. Petersen failed twice to recapture the Governor's office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Governor, 1940 Election|publisher=Minnesota Historical Election Archive|url=https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319401099920600/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Governor, 1942 Election|publisher=Minnesota Historical Election Archive|url=https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319421099920600/}}</ref>
=== Establishment === On April 15, 1944, the Farmer–Labor Party merged with the Minnesota Democratic Party, forming the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) |date=April 15, 1944 |page=Saturday Page 1 |title=Democrats, F-L, Complete Fusion}}</ref> Leading the merger effort were Elmer Kelm, the head of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the founding chairman of the DFL, and Elmer Benson, who had re-taken control of the FLP from Hjalmar Petersen following his Petersen's electoral defeats in 1940 and 1942. Rising star Hubert H. Humphrey chaired the Fusion Committee that accomplished the union and then went on to chair its first state convention.<ref name=":1">"DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY." n.d. Minnesota Historical Society. Accessed May 26, 2023. http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00586.xml .</ref>
=== Early years === The early DFL confronted various social issues, including antisemitism, the beginnings of the Civil rights movement, and economic justice, influenced significantly by Minnesota's small but politically active African American communities. In early 1946, as a Fair Employment Practice (FEPC) bill was moving through Congress, there was a surge of civil rights activism in the Twin Cities.<ref name="o936">{{cite journal |last=Kortenhof |first=Kurt |date=2022-07-07 |title=Searching for Bright Sunshine: The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements – 1945–1975 |url=https://mlpp.pressbooks.pub/mnhist/chapter/searching-for-bright-sunshine-the-civil-rights-and-black-power-movements-1945-1975/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Minnesota Libraries Publishing Project}}</ref>
Factional battles were intensified by differing views on how to address the left-wing influence within the party, with significant conflicts between proponents of Henry A. Wallace's progressive policies and the more moderate wing led by figures like Hubert Humphrey. By the party's second convention in 1946, tensions had re-emerged between members of the two former parties. While the majority of delegates supported left-wing policies, Humphrey managed to install a more conservative, anti-communist ally, Orville Freeman, as party secretary.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mitau |first=G. Theodore |date=1955 |title=The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Schism of 1948 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20175887 |journal=Minnesota History |volume=34 |issue=5 |pages=187–194 |jstor=20175887 |issn=0026-5497}}</ref> Some disaffected Farmer–Labor leaders such as Benson moved to the Progressive Party.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Nathanson|first1=Iric|date=February 26, 2016|title=The caucus that changed history: 1948's battle for control of the DFL|publisher=Minnesota Post|url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2016/02/caucus-changed-history-1948s-battle-control-dfl/}}</ref>
=== Recent history === Freeman was elected the state's first DFL governor in 1954. Important members of the party have included Humphrey and Walter Mondale, who each went on to be United States senators, vice presidents, and unsuccessful Democratic nominees for president; Eugene McCarthy, a U.S. senator who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968 as an anti-Vietnam War candidate; Paul Wellstone, a U.S. senator from 1991 to 2002 who became an icon of populist progressivism;<ref>{{cite web |author=Loughlin, Sean |date=October 25, 2002 |title=Wellstone Made Mark as a Liberal Champion |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/25/elec02.mn.s.wellstone.obit/ |access-date=June 23, 2014 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. senator who ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Allan |title=Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for president |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democratic-sen-amy-klobuchar-announces-run-president-n969796 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=30 September 2024 |date=10 February 2024}}</ref> Dean Phillips, a U.S. representative who ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2024;<ref>{{cite web |last1=John |first1=Arit |last2=McKend |first2=Eva |last3=Pellish |first3=Aaron |title=House Democrat Dean Phillips launches primary challenge against President Biden |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/26/politics/dean-phillips-presidential-campaign-launch/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=30 September 2024 |date=27 October 2023}}</ref> and Tim Walz, two-term incumbent governor chosen as Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |date=2024-08-06 |title=Tim Walz Is Kamala Harris's Choice for Vice President: Live Election Updates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/08/06/us/kamala-harris-vp-trump-election |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The DFL has had varied success beginning in the late 1970s and through the late 2010s, in part due to the growth of single-issue splinter groups after reforms brought by the national party.<ref name=":1" />
Following the 2022 Minnesota elections, the DFL became the dominant party in the state, retaining every executive office, winning majorities in the state House and Senate, and re-electing all incumbent congressional representatives. With their newly elected trifecta, the DFL pursued a progressive agenda in their first legislative session. Governor Tim Walz described the session as "the most successful legislative session, certainly in many of our lifetimes and maybe in Minnesota history."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title='Transformational' and also 'bonkers:' Minnesota Legislature ends big session |url=https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2023/05/transformational-and-also-bonkers-minnesota-legislature-ends-its-session-of-historic-spending-policy-changes/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref> The newly elected government passed large expansions in welfare programs and spending. Notable policies passed include the expansion of abortion rights, new programs to provide reproductive healthcare, protection of gender affirming care,<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title="It's a good day for freedoms": Walz signs bills on reproductive freedom and trans refuge, ban on conversion therapy |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/its-a-good-day-for-freedoms-walz-signs-bills-on-reproductive-freedom-and-trans-refuge-ban-on-conversion-therapy/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> the legalization of recreational cannabis, indexing education spending to inflation, investments in public transit, and paid sick leave for Minnesota workers.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=Weed, abortion, paid leave, rebates and taxes: A look at what MN lawmakers got done this year |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/minnesota/weed-abortion-paid-leave-rebates-and-taxes-a-look-at-what-mn-lawmakers-got-done-this-year |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Duluth News Tribune |language=en}}</ref> Former president Barack Obama praised the state government's actions, saying that "Minnesota has made progress on a whole host of issues – from protecting abortion rights and new gun safety measures to expanding access to the ballot and reducing child poverty. These laws will make a real difference in the lives of Minnesotans."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turtinen |first=Melissa |date=2023-05-26 |title=Barack Obama tweeted about Minnesota as reason you should vote |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/barack-obama-tweeted-about-minnesota-citing-reason-why-you-should-vote |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=FOX 9 |language=en-US}}</ref> The trifecta was broken with a split legislature following the 2024 Minnesota elections.
== Party organization == thumb|right|DFL chair Richard Carlbom in 2026 The DFL is governed by a state central committee, which is composed of representatives from each of the state's congressional districts. The state central committee is responsible for setting the party's platform, electing party officers, and conducting other party business. The DFL also has a constitution and bylaws that govern its operations.<ref name=":3" />
=== Community caucuses === The party operates several community caucuses that organize and represent different communities within Minnesota; they are not defined geographically.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community Caucuses and Outreach Organizations |url=https://dfl.org/communitycaucus/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=DFL Minnesota |language=en-US}}</ref> These include the:
* African American Caucus, which organizes African Americans. * Asian Pacific American Caucus, which organizes Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. * Disability Caucus, which advocates for Minnesotans with disabilities. * Environmental Caucus, which advocates for environmental protection and sustainability. * Feminist Caucus, which advocates for feminist and women's issues. * Hmong American Caucus, which organizes Hmong Americans, the largest Asian American group in Minnesota. * Latino Caucus (Spanish: ''Movimiento'') which organizes Latino Americans. * Minnesota Young DFL, which organizes young people. * Muslim Caucus, which organizes Muslims, who make up between 1–2% of the state.<ref name="Masadde 2016 s257">{{cite web |last=Masadde |first=Mohmud |date=2016-06-21 |title=Large Muslim Community in Minnesota Observes Ramadan |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/large-muslim-community-in-minnesota-observes-ramadan/3384969.html |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Voice of America}}</ref> * Native People's Caucus, which organizes and supports Native Americans and tribal communities. * Progressive Caucus, which advocates for progressive policies and opposes "corporate money in politics". * Rural Caucus, which supports the state's rural communities. * Senior Caucus, which advocates for the interests of senior citizens. * Somali American Caucus, which organizes Somali Americans, who make up over 1% of the state's population.<ref name="CBS Minnesota 2019 r5812">{{cite web |date=2019-07-23 |title=What Is The History Behind Minnesota's Somali-American Community? |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-somali-american-population-good-question/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=CBS Minnesota}}</ref><ref name="Masadde 2016 s257" /> * Stonewall DFL, which organizes LGBTQ+ Minnesotans. * Veterans Caucus, which organizes veterans and their families.
== Voter base == The DFL's base of support is diverse, and it includes urban and suburban voters, working class voters, labor unions, environmentalists, and other progressive groups.<ref name="Orrick 2018 n616">{{cite web |last=Orrick |first=Dave |date=2018-11-07 |title=This map shows the DFL dominated the suburbs. How'd they do it? |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/07/this-map-shows-the-dfl-dominated-the-suburbs-big-time-howd-they-do-it/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Twin Cities}}</ref> The party has a strong presence in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.<ref name="Orenstein 2023 m709">{{cite web |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=2023-06-16 |title=The DFL's legislative majority is concentrated in the Twin Cities metro. In a consequential session, what did that mean for Greater Minnesota? |url=https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2023/06/the-dfls-legislative-majority-is-concentrated-in-the-twin-cities-metro-in-a-consequential-session-what-did-that-mean-for-greater-minnesota/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=MinnPost}}</ref> The DFL has lost support in traditional DFL strongholds such as the Iron Range since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=2022-10-11 |title=Will the Iron Range finally go red? Control of Legislature could hinge on 7 seats in northeastern Minnesota |url=http://www.minnpost.com/elections/2022/10/will-the-iron-range-finally-go-red-control-of-legislature-could-hinge-on-7-seats-in-northeastern-minnesota/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Current elected officials == === Members of Congress === ====U.S. Senate====
* Senior senator: Amy Klobuchar * Junior senator: Tina Smith
====U.S. House of Representatives==== Out of the eight seats Minnesota is apportioned in the U.S. House of Representatives, four are held by members of the DFL.
* 2nd district: Angie Craig (since 2019) * 3rd district: Kelly Morrison (since 2025) * 4th district: Betty McCollum (since 2001) * 5th district: Ilhan Omar (since 2019)
===Statewide===
* Governor: '''Tim Walz''' * Lieutenant Governor: '''Peggy Flanagan''' * Secretary of State: '''Steve Simon''' * State Auditor: '''Julie Blaha''' * Attorney General: '''Keith Ellison''' <gallery> File:Tim Walz by Gage Skidmore.jpg|'''Tim Walz''' File:Peggy Flanagan and Premier Kinew (cropped).jpg|'''Peggy Flanagan''' File:Steve Simon 2022 (cropped).jpg|'''Steve Simon''' File:MNGovInauguration 20190107 148 (cropped).jpg|'''Julie Blaha''' File:Keith Ellison portrait.jpg|'''Keith Ellison''' </gallery>
=== State legislative leaders === *President of the Senate: Bobby Joe Champion (since 2023) *Senate majority leader: Erin Murphy (since 2024) *House minority leader: Zack Stephenson (since 2025)
===Mayors=== * Minneapolis (list): Jacob Frey (since 2018) (1) * Saint Paul (list): Melvin Carter (since 2018) (2) * Duluth (list): Roger Reinert (since 2024) (5)
==Leadership== [[File:The Minnesota DFL Booth at the Minnesota State Fair (53956129681).jpg|thumb|DFL booth at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair]]
=== Current === * Chair: Richard Carlbom (since 2025)<ref name="newchair25">{{cite news |author1=<!--staff byline; no author given--> |title=Richard Carlbom ascends to top role at Minnesota DFL Party as its first new chair in 14 years |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/29/richard-carlbom-ascends-to-top-role-at-minnesota-dfl-party |access-date=March 29, 2025 |work=Minnesota Public Radio |date=March 29, 2025}}</ref> * Vice chair: Marge Hoffa (since 2011) * Second vice chair: Shivanthi Sathanandan (since 2021) * Treasurer: Lindy Sowmick (since 2025) * Secretary: Ceri Everett (since 2021) * Outreach officer: Quentin Wathum-Ocama (since 2025)
===Historical party chairs=== Through 1975, the party's constitution called for the election of a separate chairman and chairwoman to head state party activities. Only the chairman received compensation. In the mid-1970s, the party voted to change the titles of the chief party offices to chair and associate chair, specifying that they must both be salaried and must be of the opposite sex.
{{col-begin}} {{col-break}} ====State chairmen==== * Elmer Kelm (1944–1946) * Harold H. Barker (1946–1948) * Orville Freeman (1948–1950) * Karl Rolvaag (1950–1954) * Ray Hemenway (1954–1960) * Adrian Winkel (1960–1961) * George Farr (1961–1967) * Warren Spannaus (1967–1969) * Richard Moe (1969–1972) * Hank Fischer (1972–1975) {{col-break}}
====State chairwomen==== * Ione Hunt (1948–1950) * Dorothy Houston Jacobson (1950–1956) * Anne Vetter (1956–1958) * Geri M. Joseph (1958–1960) * Evelyn Malone (1960–1962) * Pat St. Angelo (1962–1963) * Betty Kane (1963–1968) * Koryne Horbal (1968–1972) {{col-end}}
====State chairs==== * Koryne Horbal (1968–1977) * Claire Rumpel (1978–1979) * Mike Hatch (1980–1983) * Mary Monahan (1983–1985) * Ruth Stanoch (1985–1989) * Todd Otis (1990–1993) * Rick Stafford (1993–1995) * Mark Andrew (1995–1997) * Richard Senese (1997–1999) * Mike Erlandson (1999–2005) * Brian Melendez (2005–2011) * Ken Martin (2011–2025) * Richard Carlbom (2025–present)
== Electoral history ==
=== Federal ===
==== U.S. Senate ==== {{col-begin|width=auto}} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;text-align:right;" |+ Class 1 ! Year ! Candidate ! Votes ! % ! Won |- !1946 | Theodore Jorgenson | 349,520 | 39.8 |{{no}} |- !1952 | William E. Carlson | 590,011 | 42.5 |{{no}} |- !1958 | rowspan="2"|Eugene McCarthy | 608,847 | 53.0 |{{yes}} |- !1964 | 931,363 | 60.3 |{{yes}} |- !1970 |rowspan="2"| Hubert Humphrey | 788,256 | 57.8 |{{yes}} |- !1976 | 1,290,736 | 67.5 |{{yes}} |- !1978 (sp) | Bob Short | 538,675 | 34.6 |{{no}} |- !1982 | Mark Dayton | 840,401 | 46.6 |{{no}} |- !1988 |Skip Humphrey |856,694 |40.9 |{{No}} |- !1994 |Ann Wynia |781,860 |44.1 |{{No}} |- !2000 |Mark Dayton |1,181,553 |48.8 |{{Yes}} |- !2006 |rowspan="4"|Amy Klobuchar |1,278,849 |58.1 |{{Yes}} |- ! 2012 | 1,854,595 | 65.2 | {{yes}} |- ! 2018 | 1,566,174 | 60.3 | {{yes}} |- !2024 | 1,792,441 | 56.2 | {{yes}} |} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;text-align:right;" |+ Class 2 ! Year ! Candidate ! Votes ! % ! Won |- !1948 |rowspan="3"| Hubert Humphrey | 729,494 | 59.8 |{{yes}} |- !1954 | 642,193 | 56.4 |{{yes}} |- !1960 | 884,168 | 57.5 |{{yes}} |- !1966 |rowspan="2"|Walter Mondale | 685,840 | 53.9 |{{yes}} |- !1972 | 981,320 | 56.7 |{{yes}} |- !1978 | Wendell R. Anderson | 638,375 | 40.4 |{{No}} |- !1984 |Joan Growe |852,844 |41.3 |{{No}} |- !1990 |rowspan="2"|Paul Wellstone |911,999 |50.5 |{{Yes}} |- !1996 |1,098,430 |50.3 |{{Yes}} |- !2002 |Walter Mondale{{efn|Replaced Paul Wellstone following his death.}} |1,067,246 |47.3 |{{No}} |- !2008 |rowspan="2"|Al Franken |1,212,629 |42.0 |{{Yes}} |- ! 2014 | 1,053,205 | 53.2 | {{yes}} |- ! 2018 (sp) | rowspan="2"|Tina Smith | 1,370,540 | 53.0 | {{yes}} |- ! 2020 | 1,566,522 | 48.7 | {{yes}} |} {{col-end}} {{notelist}}
==== U.S. House ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;text-align:right;" !Election !Votes ! % !Seats (MN) !± !% |- !2000 |1,234,204 |52.2 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} |{{decrease}} 1 |62.5 |- !2002 |1,097,911 |49.9 |{{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} |{{decrease}} 1 |50.0 |- !2004 |1,399,624 |51.4 |{{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |50.0 |- !2006 |1,152,621 |52.9 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |62.5 |- !2008 |1,612,480 |57.5 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |62.5 |- !2010 |1,002,026 |47.9 |{{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 |50.0 |- !2012 |985,760 |55.5 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |62.5 |- !2014 |985,760 |50.2 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |62.5 |- !2016 |1,434,590 |50.2 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |62.5 |- !2018 |1,420,748 |55.1 |{{Composition bar|5|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |62.5 |- !2020 |1,554,373 |48.7 |{{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 |50.0 |- !2022 |1,250,479 |50.1 |{{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |50.0 |- !2024 | 1,579,742 | 50.2 |{{Composition bar|4|8|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |50.0 |}
=== State ===
==== Governor ==== {{See also|Governor of Minnesota}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;text-align:right;" |+ ! Year ! Candidate ! Votes ! % ! Won |- ! 1944 | Byron G. Allen | 430,132 | 37.8 | {{no}} |- ! 1946 | Harold H. Barker | 349,565 | 39.7 | {{no}} |- ! 1948 | Charles Halsted | 545,766 | 45.1 | {{no}} |- ! 1950 | Harry H. Peterson | 400,637 | 38.3 | {{no}} |- ! 1952 | rowspan="5"|Orville Freeman | 624,480 | 44.0 | {{no}} |- ! 1954 | 607,099 | 52.7 | {{yes}} |- ! 1956 | 731,180 | 51.4 | {{yes}} |- ! 1958 | 658,326 | 56.8 | {{yes}} |- ! 1960 | 760,934 | 49.1 | {{no}} |- ! 1962 | rowspan="2"|Karl Rolvaag | 619,842 | 49.7 | {{yes}} |- ! 1966 | 607,943 | 46.9 | {{no}} |- ! 1970 | rowspan="2" |Wendell Anderson | 737,921 | 54.0 | {{yes}} |- ! 1974 | 786,787 | 62.8 | {{yes}} |- ! 1978 | rowspan="4"| Rudy Perpich | 718,244 | 45.3 | {{no}} |- ! 1982 | 718,244 | 58.8 | {{yes}} |- ! 1986 | 790,138 | 56.1 | {{yes}} |- ! 1990 | 836,218 | 46.8 | {{no}} |- ! 1994 | John Marty | 589,344 | 34.1 | {{no}} |- ! 1998 | Skip Humphrey | 587,528 | 28.1 | {{no}} |- ! 2002 | Roger Moe | 821,268 | 36.5 | {{no}} |- ! 2006 | Mike Hatch | 1,007,460 | 45.7 | {{no}} |- ! 2010 | rowspan="2"| Mark Dayton | 919,232 | 43.6 | {{yes}} |- ! 2014 | 989,113 | 50.1 | {{yes}} |- ! 2018 | rowspan="2" |Tim Walz | 1,393,096 | 53.8 | {{yes}} |- ! 2022 | 1,312,349 | 52.3 | {{yes}} |}
=== Minnesota Senate ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;text-align:right;" !Election !Votes ! % !Seats !± !% !Majority |- !1976 |1,024,624 |51.9 |{{Composition bar|49|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | N/A |73.1 | {{yes}} |- !1980 |1,024,624 |49.3 |{{Composition bar|46|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 3 |68.7 | {{yes}} |- !1982 |951,287 |51.8 |{{Composition bar|42|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 4 |62.7 | {{yes}} |- !1986 |765,584 |52.6 |{{Composition bar|47|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 5 |70.2 | {{yes}} |- !1990 |990,513 |53.7 |{{Composition bar|46|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 |68.7 | {{yes}} |- !1992 |1,247,594 |53.0 |{{Composition bar|45|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 |67.2 | {{yes}} |- !1996 |1,129,095 |51.1 |{{Composition bar|42|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 3 |62.7 | {{yes}} |- !2000 |1,219,497 |49.6 |{{Composition bar|39|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 3 |58.2 | {{yes}} |- !2002 |1,080,975 |49.7 |{{Composition bar|35|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 4 |52.2 | {{yes}} |- !2006 |1,183,319 |55.3 |{{Composition bar|44|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 6 |65.7 | {{yes}} |- !2010 |1,005,132 |48.9 |{{Composition bar|30|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 16 |44.7 | {{no}} |- !2012 |1,532,065 |55.8 |{{Composition bar|39|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 9 |58.2 | {{yes}} |- !2016 |1,409,775 |50.1 |{{Composition bar|33|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 6 |49.3 | {{no}} |- !2020 |1,577,523 |49.8 |{{Composition bar|33|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |49.3 | {{no}} |- !2022 |1,239,682 |50.7 |{{Composition bar|34|67|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 1 |50.7 | {{yes}} |}
=== Minnesota House===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;text-align:right;" !Election !Votes ! % !Seats !± !% !Majority |- !2002 |1,034,046 |47.8 |{{Composition bar|52|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 11 |38.8 | {{no}} |- !2004 |1,381,412 |51.2 |{{Composition bar|66|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 13 |49.3 | {{no}} |- !2006 |1,169,298 |54.9 |{{Composition bar|85|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 19 |63.4 | {{yes}} |- !2008 |1,516,633 |54.9 |{{Composition bar|87|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 2 |64.9 | {{yes}} |- !2010 |995,853 |48.5 |{{Composition bar|62|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 25 |46.3 | {{no}} |- !2012 |1,468,364 |53.7 |{{Composition bar|73|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 11 |54.5 | {{yes}} |- !2014 |944,961 |49.3 |{{Composition bar|62|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 11 |46.3 | {{no}} |- !2016 |1,366,375 |49.1 |{{Composition bar|57|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 4 |42.5 | {{no}} |- !2018 |1,388,938 |54.4 |{{Composition bar|75|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{increase}} 18 |55.9 | {{yes}} |- !2020 |1,601,357 |51.1 |{{Composition bar|70|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 5 |52.2 | {{yes}} |- !2022 |1,237,520 |50.9 |{{Composition bar|70|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{steady}} 0 |52.2 | {{yes}} |- !2024 |1,545,213 |49.9 |{{Composition bar|67|134|hex={{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}}} | {{decrease}} 3 |50.0 | {{no}} |}
==See also== {{Portal|United States|Politics}} * List of political parties in Minnesota * Political party strength in Minnesota * Politics of Minnesota
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book |last=Delton |first=Jennifer A. |title=Making Minnesota Liberal: Civil Rights and the Transformation of the Democratic Party |location=Minneapolis |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |year=2002 |jstor=10.5749/j.ctttsfmc |isbn=0816639221 |lccn=2001008251}} * {{cite journal |author-link=John Earl Haynes |last=Haynes |first=John Earl |title=Farm Coops and the Election of Hubert Humphrey to the Senate |journal=Agricultural History |volume=57 |issue=2 |date=Fall 1983}} * {{cite book |last=Haynes |first=John Earl |title=Dubious Alliance: The Making of Minnesota's DFL Party |location=Minneapolis |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |year=1984}} * {{cite thesis |last=Henrickson |first=Gary P. |title=Minnesota in the "McCarthy" Period: 1946–1954 |degree=PhD |publisher=University of Minnesota |year=1981}} * {{cite book |last=Lebedoff |first=David |title=The 21st Ballot: A Political Party Struggle in Minnesota |location=Minneapolis |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |year=1969}} * {{cite book |last=Lebedoff |first=David |title=Ward Number Six |location=New York |publisher=Scribner |year=1972}}{{snd}}Discusses the entry of radicals into the DFL party in 1968. * {{cite journal|last1=Mitau|first1= G. Theodore|title=The Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Schism of 1948|journal=Minnesota History|volume= 34|issue=5|date=Spring 1955|jstor=20175887|url=http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/34/v34i05p187-194.pdf|pages=187–194}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party}} * {{Official website|https://dfl.org/}}
{{MinnesotaPoliticalParties}} {{U.S. Democratic Party state parties}} {{Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party}} Category:Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Category:Democratic Party (United States) by state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Category:Political parties established in 1944 Category:1944 establishments in Minnesota Category:Progressivism in the United States