Well we survived a very wild 2026 election. In Minnesota, and across the country, a Blue Wave swept out incumbents and Republican control, bringing in new Democrat majorities. This was a significant rebuke of President Trump’s policies, the War in Iran, and arguably most important of all – a referendum on affordability for everyday Americans.
In Minnesota, we saw similar trends to what happened nationwide. Senator Klobuchar won the governor’s office, and the State House and Senate picked up several DFL seats to return our state to a trifecta. State offices, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, also remained firmly in Democrat control.
For businesses, trade associations and groups looking to make an impact next session, it’s time to start thinking about public affairs and how a proactive plan can help set you up for success.
Meet Governor Klobuchar
Senator Klobuchar will be at the helm of state government. A known quantity in Washington, she has long shown a pragmatic approach to governing and working across the aisle. One thing to watch is how she will manage the more progressive wing of her party that often dominates legislative policy conversations.
Of note, Klobuchar ran heavily on a pro-growth message. For businesses and trade associations, it’s important to build relationships with her office, her transition team and her policy leads. If you can frame your issues from a pro-growth mindset and have a proactive agenda and not just a reactive one, you can start setting yourself up for better outcomes over the next two years.
Don’t Wait to React – Have Something Positive to Say
On that note, many times in public affairs, we are asking ourselves “how do we block this policy?” While a fair question in a world where you are trying to do business, support your industry and drive economic growth, with a DFL-trifecta, that approach may need to shift.
Leaning in on shaping policies and coming with proactive ideas better sets you up from a reputational standpoint and positions you as an expert, instead of just a political adversary. Present yourself as an industry expert with common goals to support Minnesotans and the issues that matter most to them.
Knowing there is one party control also means you need to move quicker! I expect caucuses and committees to coalesce quickly around their key ideas next session, which means starting that work now of building your agenda for 2027 is critical.
Center Affordability in All Your Messaging
It’s the economy, stupid still rings true in politics decades later. Voters rejected high gas prices, rising costs and economic uncertainty. Democrats ran on a message of affordability and won handily.
How your policies improve affordability and protect the pocketbooks of average Minnesotans is critical as you think through issue messaging.
Make Sure You’re Not Standing Alone
Lobbying is a critical tool to shape policy, but authentic grassroots engagement is what can move the needle. No business or trade association should stand alone in policy fights. Coalition building now, growing your allies, and having a network you can activate can be the difference between winning and losing your issue next year.
Policymakers feel much more pressure to act in your favor when they’re hearing from people in their districts, media narratives are driving public discussion, and it’s a large cacophony of diverse voices championing an issue.
Don’t Know Where to Start?
Want to start building your public affairs plan for 2027? Reach out to me at ct@k2andcompay.com. We are here to help!