The Ballot Brief
Itasca County, Minnesota

Minnesota Senate District 7

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kim (Kotonias) McLaughlin and Robert Farnsworth. Candidate information follows official Itasca County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Kim (Kotonias) McLaughlin (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Robert Farnsworth (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 7; Robert Farnsworth 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, Robert Farnsworth, is on the ballot.

Minnesota › Itasca County › Minnesota Senate District 7

Kim (Kotonias) McLaughlin

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities
  • Ensure access to a strong public education regardless of zip code
  • Promote government accountability and fiscal transparency
  • Support economic development and job creation in the region

Per the campaign site.

Biography

McLaughlin is a business manager for MN North and a former internal auditor for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, where she worked 18 years, per the campaign site. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner who has served on the Hibbing School Board for 10 years, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Robert Farnsworth

Robert Farnsworth

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Support mining, jobs and the Iron Range economy
  • Protect medical freedom and Second Amendment rights
  • Focus on education, transportation and responsible state budgeting

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Farnsworth is a special education teacher in the Hibbing school district and a real estate agent with Village Realty, with more than 20 years in teaching, per the campaign site. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas and a master's degree in special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, per the campaign site. He is serving his first term in the Minnesota Senate, where he chairs the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota Senate District 7 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kim (Kotonias) McLaughlin and Robert Farnsworth. Candidate information follows official Itasca County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Minnesota Senate District 7 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 Itasca 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 Itasca County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Itasca County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Minnesota House District 3AMinnesota House District 6AMinnesota House District 7ASee all 30 Itasca County races
Candidate profiles
Kim (Kotonias) McLaughlin, full profileRobert Farnsworth, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office