The Ballot Brief
Ramsey County, Minnesota

Minnesota Senate District 36

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Heidi Heino and Heather Gustafson. Candidate information follows official Ramsey County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Heidi Heino (Republican), Heather Gustafson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 36; Heather Gustafson 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, Heather Gustafson, is on the ballot.

Minnesota › Ramsey County › Minnesota Senate District 36

Heidi Heino

Republican

Top priorities
  • Accountability, affordability and trust in state government

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Heidi Heino is a Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 36, per her campaign site. She is a business leader with over a decade of experience leading partnerships, operations and strategic initiatives.

Heather Gustafson

Heather Gustafson

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Strong schools
  • Good jobs
  • Safe neighborhoods

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Heather Gustafson is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota Senate District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. Heather Gustafson is a sitting member for the district, per the Minnesota Senate's official member directory (senate.mn). Has represented Senate District 36 since January 2023, covering Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes and nearby communities, per Official MN House/Senate member roster.

Next on your ballotMinnesota Senate District 39

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota Senate District 36 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Heidi Heino and Heather Gustafson. Candidate information follows official Ramsey County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Minnesota Senate District 36 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 Ramsey 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 Ramsey 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 Ramsey County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Ramsey County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Minnesota Senate District 40Minnesota Senate District 44Minnesota Senate District 47See all 41 Ramsey County races
Candidate profiles
Heidi Heino, full profileHeather Gustafson, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office