Why are so many Minnesotan politicians running for a third term in office?

[RandySF]

With a week to go before Minnesota's municipal elections, some voters are going to see some familiar faces on their ballots. Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors Jacob Frey and Melvin Carter are both vying for a third term.

In 2026, Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are hoping to be elected to their positions for a third time, too.

Why are we seeing so many Minnesota politicians running for third terms in office? The director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, Larry Jacobs, joined Minnesota Now to explain.



https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/10/28/why-are-so-many-minnesotan-politicians-running-for-a-third-term-in-office

[stopdiggin]

1. there's a fairly common answer here

that is not at all new, either to the political realm of otherwise.
And that is a lot of these people genuinely do not see that there is a better alternative waiting in the wings. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes it is pure ego, sometimes not. But regardless .. it is a purely human reaction .. and particularly among people that have had some success.

[ironman99]

2. Extra terms

Depending on the individual and party, Graft......;

[dflprincess]

3. We haven't had a governor for 3 terms but since 1971 three of the attorneys general have served 3 or more terms

Warren Spannus elected 1970, 1974, & 1978
Hubert Humphrey, III elected 1982, 1986, 1990, & 1994
Lori Swanson elected 2006, 2010, & 2014

In between Humphrey & Swanson Mike Hatch served two terms (elected 1998 & 2002). All 4 of these AGs went on to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Fun fact Minnesota hasn't had a Republican AG since Douglas Head who served one term from 1967 to 1971.