2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 51A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Frank Pafko and Michael Howard. Candidate information follows official Hennepin County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Frank Pafko (Republican), Michael Howard (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 51A; Michael Howard is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). 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, Michael Howard, is on the ballot.
Minnesota › Hennepin County › Minnesota House District 51A
Republican
Frank Pafko is a husband, father of two and grandfather of six who was raised in south Minneapolis and has lived in Richfield for 40 years, per his Vote Smart candidate profile. He is running for Minnesota House District 51A. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Incumbent
Michael Howard works in public relations and holds a political science degree from Augsburg College, per the Minnesota House of Representatives. Howard has represented Minnesota House District 51A since 2018 and co-chairs the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, also serving on the Taxes Committee, per the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Who is running for Minnesota House District 51A in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 51A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Frank Pafko and Michael Howard. Candidate information follows official Hennepin County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Minnesota House District 51A 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 Hennepin 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 Hennepin 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 Hennepin County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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