Every year, Minnesota residents can each make a $75 political contribution to a state or local candidate (or major party), fill out a form, and get that money refunded. This is called the Political Contribution Refund program. The campaign you donate to will send you the receipt.
You can spread this around and send in one form with three receipts, but honestly, from a “best way to make an impact” angle, bear in mind that processing your donation has costs (they all have to send you a receipt). You can get the PCR for donations to the races for Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General, any legislative race (Minnesota House / Minnesota Senate), and many political parties (there’s a list on the form.)
You can, of course, donate more (way more) than $75 if you have the resources to do so! Minnesotans can donate up to $4,000 per two-year period to candidates for governor; $2500 to candidates for AG; $2,000 to candidates for Auditor or Secretary of State; and $1000 for candidates for State Legislature. (It’s “per two-year period” for all of them.) I think the limit for the US Senate race is $3500? Honestly if you’ve got that kind of money lying around and are in the habit of donating it to candidates, you probably have the cell phone number of Peggy’s campaign manager and can just call up and ask.
But okay. Where should you donate, that’s what this post is really about — that, and where should you volunteer. DFL candidates are contesting every single legislative race in the state — which is amazing, but there are some that are particularly good pickup opportunities, and some are close enough to the metro for metro people to go help doorknock in.
Let me just make a quick pitch for doorknocking. I do some doorknocking nearly every year. It sound scary but it really is not. The people who just don’t want to talk to you, don’t answer the door. Lots of people know the election is coming, mean to look up their candidates, and just haven’t gotten around to it, so a friendly person on their doorstep with some basic information is genuinely helpful. If the walking around is a problem, you can ask about phone banking opportunities. If the doorknocking strangers is a problem, you can walk in parades with candidates waving at people (makes them look like a rock star instead of a dork, very important) and staff tables at festivals. Some of these districts are within a half hour of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and I will link to volunteer opportunities if I can imagine driving there.
Another way you can volunteer: host a fundraiser! You can absolutely host a metro-area fundraiser for a rural or suburban candidate. (I want to provide some instructions on this and realized, I’ve never done this, but I would suggest starting by e-mailing the campaign and saying, “hi, I live in [Minneapolis/St. Paul] and even though I’m not in your district I’d like to organize a fundraiser here for your campaign.”) Donations in state legislative races can go so far, seriously.
STATEWIDE
Keith Ellison (Attorney General)
I have already written at some length about how awesome I think Keith Ellison is, and how important this office is, and his race four years ago was very close. He will absolutely put your donations to good use. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
MN HOUSE CANDIDATES
Aaron’s district is in far northern part of the state and is the biggest district by land mass, including International Falls, Ely, Grand Portage, etc. Includes the Iron Range and also the BWCA. Aaron is a former wilderness firefighter. Donate here.
Aaron Schweiger (3B, challenger)
This is another far-north district and includes Hermantown and Two Harbors. Aaron Scheiger is a real estate developer married to a teacher. Donate here.
Chris Swanson (11A, challenger)
This district is in the Cloquet area. Chris Swanson is a high school social studies teacher. Donate here. Chris also takes checks!
This district is in St. Cloud and is currently held by a DFLer who isn’t running again. Zach is a mental health professional. Donate here.
This district is in the Mankato and St. Peter area. Leah is a social worker and a wheelchair user; she was disabled by a car accident when she was 23. Donate here, and if you’re up for driving an hour (St. Peter is really pretty in the fall) you can sign up to volunteer.
This district is around Winona. Dan started working at a homeless shelter in Winona shortly after graduating from college; he now farms part-time and does housing advocacy. Donate here.
Matt Norris has served two terms representing Blaine, winning narrowly both times. One of his legislative highlights has been passing legislation to protect the residents of mobile home parks, providing notification laws, tax incentives, and a loan fund in order to help park residents convert their land to resident cooperative ownership when the parks are sold. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
Jason Heaser (34A, challenger)
This district is in the northern exurbs (Champlin, Rogers). Jason is a veteran and a prosecutor who has most recently worked in the Attorney General’s office. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
This district is in Lino Lakes. Jim is a school board member. Donate here and sign up to doorknock here.
This district is in the northwest suburbs, including part of Maple Grove. Darci is a former executive trainer who is now a realtor; her bio talks about her family’s deep union roots. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
This district is in Hastings. Jen Fox is a small business owner (she’s a part owner of the Spiral Brewery). Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
This district is in Chaska. Lucy has served for two terms, winning narrowly both times. Notable accomplishments in the legislature include the e-bike rebates and the creation of a Traffic Safety Council. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
This district is in Shakopee, and you probably remember that Brad won his race two years ago by fourteen votes. He was in the news earlier this year for rallying Shakopee residents against a proposed ICE detention facility. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
MN SENATE CANDIDATES
Grant Hauschild (SD3, incumbent)
Grant represents a big section of the northern part of the state, including Hermantown, International Falls, Ely, Grand Marais, and I think possibly some islands out in Lake Superior because the map seems to include a section of the lake. He led on creating something called the “Sprint Medic program” in rural Minnesota, which has EMTs with pickup trucks who can get to rural emergencies much more quickly than ambulances. Donate here.
Aric represents St. Cloud. One of his accomplishments was allocating $40,000,000 to Minnesota Veterans Homes to care for ill and aging veterans. In 2026, homelessness among veterans in Minnesota reached a record low, and this investment was definitely a contributing factor. Donate here.
Simon Glaser (SD24, challenger)
This district is in Rochester. Simon is an English teacher and union organizer who is taking an unapologetic and strong stance on civil liberties, including defending immigrants and LGBTQ+ people. Donate here.
Angela Nelson (SD35, challenger)
This district is in Coon Rapids. Angela is an elementary school principal and mom of two. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
Kristy Janigo (SD37, challenger)
This district is in the northwest suburbs, including Maple Grove. Kristy is a veteran, City Councillor (for Maple Grove), and volunteer legislative advocate for veteran’s issues. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
Dan Kessler (SD48, challenger)
This district is in Chaska. Dan is a psychologist, cancer survivor, and curler. (As in, he does curling. The ice sport.) Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
Mark Legvold (SD58, challenger)
This district includes Northfield, Farmington, and the surrounding area. Mark is a veteran, a former teacher, a former single parent (he remarried and his kids are grown), and a farmer. Donate here and sign up to volunteer here.
Will Tell Stories For Food 