Benton County, Minnesota

Minnesota Senate District 14

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 14 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Aric Putnam and Bernie Perryman. Candidate information follows official Benton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Aric Putnam (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Bernie Perryman (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 14; Aric Putnam is the sitting member, per the Minnesota Senate's official member directory (senate.mn). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Aric Putnam, is on the ballot.

Minnesota › Benton County › Minnesota Senate District 14

Aric Putnam

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Incumbent

Top priorities

Affordable housing
Safe, thriving neighborhoods
Support for schools

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Aric Putnam has served as the State Senator for the St. Cloud region since January 2021, per his campaign site. Putnam is a professor of communication at Saint John's University and the College of St. Benedict and has taught for more than twenty-five years, per his campaign site. Putnam earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Bernie Perryman

Republican

Top priorities

Supports accountability and transparency in government spending
Supports tax relief, including permanently ending the tax on seniors' Social Security benefits

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Bernie Perryman is a two-term member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who owns and operates two Batteries Plus stores in St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids, per her campaign site. Perryman previously was part owner and CEO of the beverage distributor C&L Distributing and served as Chair of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, per her campaign site. Perryman is running for Minnesota Senate District 14, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotMinnesota House District 10B

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota Senate District 14 in 2026?

When is the Minnesota Senate District 14 election in Minnesota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are on the Minnesota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Benton County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Benton County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Benton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Benton County ballot

27 tracked races in Benton County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Minnesota House District 13B Minnesota House District 14B Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2 See all 27 Benton County races

Candidate profiles

Aric Putnam, full profile Bernie Perryman, full profile Official Minnesota election office