The Ballot Brief
Stearns County, Minnesota

Minnesota House District 12B

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 12B on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mary Franson and Michael Gardner. Candidate information follows official Stearns County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Mary Franson (Republican), Michael Gardner (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 12B; Mary Franson 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.

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, Mary Franson, is on the ballot.

Minnesota › Stearns County › Minnesota House District 12B

Mary Franson

Mary Franson

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Supports strengthening the economy and job growth, including for family farmers
  • Supports Second Amendment rights
  • Supports parental rights and family-centered policies

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Mary Franson was a licensed childcare provider and small business owner before her legislative service, per campaign site. Mary Franson holds a psychology degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and was first elected to the legislature in 2010, per campaign site.

Michael Gardner

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities
  • Calls for government services and technology to work better for constituents
  • Emphasizes that the seat belongs to the district's residents rather than special interests

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Michael Gardner is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 12B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table.

Next on your ballotMinnesota House District 13A

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota House District 12B in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 12B on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mary Franson and Michael Gardner. Candidate information follows official Stearns County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Minnesota House District 12B 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 Stearns 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 Stearns 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 Stearns County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Stearns County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Minnesota House District 13BMinnesota House District 14AMinnesota House District 14BSee all 33 Stearns County races
Candidate profiles
Mary Franson, full profileMichael Gardner, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office