2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 56 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Raymond David Petersen and Erin Maye Quade. Candidate information follows official Dakota County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Raymond David Petersen (Republican), Erin Maye Quade (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 56; Erin Maye Quade 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.
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, Erin Maye Quade, is on the ballot.
Minnesota › Dakota County › Minnesota Senate District 56
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Petersen is an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran from Apple Valley, per the campaign site.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Incumbent
Per the campaign site.
Erin Maye Quade has served as the State Senator for Minnesota Senate District 56 since being elected in 2022, and previously served as a State Representative from 2017 to 2019, per her campaign site. Maye Quade is a lifelong Apple Valley resident and a reproductive justice leader, per her campaign site.
Who is running for Minnesota Senate District 56 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 56 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Raymond David Petersen and Erin Maye Quade. Candidate information follows official Dakota County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Minnesota Senate District 56 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 Dakota 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.
Candidate roster from official Dakota County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Dakota County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
46 tracked races in Dakota County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.