State Auditor of Minnesota · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Minnesota state auditor race?
Scott Jensen has the strongest record in the Minnesota state auditor race. Scott Jensen scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Zack Filipovich at 60 and Jay Reeves at 56, as of October 5, 2026. Scott Jensen's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Zack Filipovich's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
DFL
Zack Filipovich
60 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 50
Republican
Strongest record
Scott Jensen
65 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 75
Forward Independence
Jay Reeves
56 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Zack Filipovich
- On the record2023-12-11
Appointed to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center board by outgoing Mayor Emily Larson and confirmed unanimously by the council on Dec. 11, 2023, after Mayor-elect Roger Reinert publicly asked that the seat be left open.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Dec. 12, 2023, Duluth News Tribune, Dec. 10, 2023
- On the record2021-04-14
Announced on April 14, 2021 that he would not seek a third council term; he was then the longest-serving member of the nine-member council and served out the term ending that year.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, April 14, 2021, Fox 21, April 15, 2021
- Credit2019-01-28
Co-introduced, with Councilor Em Westerlund, the Duluth ordinance raising the minimum age for tobacco and e-cigarette sales to 21; the council adopted it 6 to 2 on Jan. 28, 2019.
- Credit2018 to 2019
Co-sponsored with Councilor Joel Sipress the December 2018 (5 to 4) and September 2019 (6 to 2) levy amendments that shifted Duluth's monthly streetlight fee to the property tax levy, retiring the fee in 2019.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Dec. 10, 2018, Duluth News Tribune, Sept. 23, 2019
- Credit2013 to 2016
Elected to the Duluth City Council at 23 in 2013 as the youngest councilor in city history, and elected council president by unanimous vote in January 2016 at 25, the youngest to hold the post.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, April 14, 2021, Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 7, 2016, Fox 21, April 15, 2021
Scott Jensen
- Mark against2022-09
At a September 2022 campaign event said some school districts provide litter boxes for students who identify as furries, a claim schools and fact-checkers had found false; his campaign did not answer requests for proof.
Sources: CNN, Oct. 3, 2022, MinnPost (quoting MPR News), Oct. 4, 2022
- On the record2022-04-23
Told a Republican district convention on April 23, 2022 that Secretary of State Steve Simon should 'check out to see if you look good in stripes'; the AP reported he offered no evidence of illegality.
Sources: Associated Press via CBS Minnesota, May 2, 2022, Associated Press via MPR News, May 2, 2022
- On the record2022-06-16
While under a fifth Board of Medical Practice inquiry, said in June 2022 that as governor he would appoint the board and 'this juggernaut will be dealt with'; the board reported no disciplinary action.
Sources: Associated Press via CBS Minnesota, June 17, 2022, Fox 9, June 17, 2022
- On the record2022-08
Declined in August 2022 to apologize for an April 2022 video comparing COVID-19 mask mandates to 1930s Germany, calling it 'a legitimate comparison' after Gov. Walz and DFL legislators asked him to apologize.
- On the record2020-04
His April 2020 Fox News remarks on Medicare COVID-19 payments spread as a claim that hospitals inflate counts; FactCheck.org found no miscoding evidence and PolitiFact named him in its 2020 Lie of the Year.
Sources: FactCheck.org, April 21, 2020, PolitiFact, Dec. 16, 2020
- On the record2020 to present
Eighteen medical board complaints (2020 to 2022) led to four investigations, all closed without discipline; his 2023 First Amendment suit, twice dismissed for lack of standing, was revived by the Eighth Circuit Sept. 15, 2026.
Sources: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, No. 25-1812, Sept. 15, 2026, U.S. District Court, D. Minn., Civ. No. 23-1689, order of March 29, 2024, Post Bulletin, April 7, 2025, MPR News, Sept. 15, 2026, Duluth News Tribune (Forum News Service), June 6, 2023
- On the record2018 to 2022
Signed on to gun background check bills in 2018, withdrew his name about six weeks later, and in May 2022 told Republican convention delegates the decision was a mistake and apologized.
- Credit2020-04-15
Sole Senate author of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act (HF 3100), which passed the Senate 67 to 0 on April 14, 2020 and was signed April 15, 2020 as Chapter 73.
Sources: Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, HF 3100 (2020), MPR News, Oct. 25, 2022
- Credit2019-05-17
Chief Senate author of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act (SF 278), which passed the Senate 67 to 0 and the House 130 to 2 and became Chapter 39 on May 17, 2019.
Sources: Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, SF 278 (2019), MPR News, Oct. 25, 2022
- Credit2016-04-14
Named the 2016 Minnesota Family Physician of the Year by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, presented at its annual meeting on April 14, 2016.
Sources: Chaska Herald (SWNewsMedia), 2016, MPR News, Oct. 25, 2022
Jay Reeves
- Credit2006 to 2023
Served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2023, enlisting at 31, and retired as a major; a veteran with a professional data-integrity background.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KTTC, July 31, 2026, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Zack Filipovich. Principal campaign committee registered with the Campaign Finance Board on Oct. 17, 2025; economic interest statement filed June 15, 2026; 2025 year-end and four 2026 reports on file; no board actions listed. No ethics, court or campaign finance finding found.
Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, Zack (Filipovich) for MN Auditor, candidate information
Scott Jensen. Campaign committee registered Feb. 9, 2026; economic interest statement filed June 8, 2026; four 2026 reports on file; no board actions listed. No ethics, court or campaign finance finding found. One documented false statement (2022) is below the E15 threshold.
Sources: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, Scott Jensen for Minnesota, candidate information, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, prima facie determination, Nov. 4, 2022
Jay Reeves. Principal campaign committee registered Nov. 17, 2025; economic interest statement filed June 10, 2026; 2025 year-end and four 2026 reports on file; no board actions listed. No ethics, court or campaign finance finding found.
Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, Jay Reeves for State Auditor, candidate information
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Zack Filipovich. No public record found.
Scott Jensen. In 2018 signed on to gun background check bills opposed by gun rights groups that had backed him, then withdrew his name and apologized to GOP delegates in 2022. In 2019 backed a bipartisan provider tax replacement most Republicans opposed.
Jay Reeves. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Zack Filipovich. Took part in the Aug. 14, 2026 Almanac forum and the Sept. 6, 2026 WCCO Radio State Fair debate with both opponents; a third meeting on KSTP's At Issue was set for Oct. 11, 2026. No open town halls documented.
Sources: Pioneer Press, Sept. 30, 2026, WCCO Radio (Audacy), The Sunday Take, Sept. 6, 2026
Scott Jensen. Took part in the Aug. 14, 2026 Almanac forum and the Sept. 6, 2026 WCCO Radio State Fair debate; a third KSTP meeting was set for Oct. 11, 2026. Debated Gov. Walz three times in 2022. No town halls documented.
Sources: Pioneer Press, Sept. 30, 2026, WCCO Radio (Audacy), The Sunday Take, Sept. 6, 2026
Jay Reeves. Took part in the Aug. 14, 2026 Almanac forum and the Sept. 6, 2026 WCCO Radio State Fair debate with both opponents; a third meeting on KSTP's At Issue was set for Oct. 11, 2026. No open town halls documented.
Sources: Pioneer Press, Sept. 30, 2026, WCCO Radio (Audacy), The Sunday Take, Sept. 6, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Zack Filipovich. Served eight years on the Duluth City Council (2014 to 2021), elected council president by unanimous vote in January 2016, and was the longest-serving member when he left. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 7, 2016, Duluth News Tribune, April 14, 2021
Scott Jensen. Four years as a state senator and about 10 years on the Waconia School Board with no formal conduct finding. Eighteen complaints to the Board of Medical Practice (2020 to 2022) led to four investigations, all closed without discipline.
Sources: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, No. 25-1812, Sept. 15, 2026, U.S. District Court, D. Minn., Civ. No. 23-1689, order of March 29, 2024, MinnPost, July 26, 2019
Jay Reeves. Served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2023, retiring as a major. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Zack Filipovich. Took the oath of office as a Duluth city councilor for two four-year terms (2014 to 2021). No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Scott Jensen. Sworn in as a state senator Jan. 3, 2017; served to Jan. 3, 2021. No finding of misuse of office, no certifying role, no recorded action to reject certified results; conceded the 2022 governor's race Nov. 9, 2022.
Sources: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Legislators Past and Present, PolitiFact, Nov. 9, 2022
Jay Reeves. Took the oath of military service in the U.S. Army and served 2006 to 2023 (E10). No official finding of misuse and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KTTC, July 31, 2026
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Zack Filipovich. Two four-year terms on the Duluth City Council (elected 2013 and 2017), council president in 2016, secretary of the Duluth Economic Development Authority board; Certified Management Accountant and finance manager at Northspan, a regional economic development nonprofit.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Nov. 13, 2025, Duluth News Tribune, April 14, 2021, WDIO, Nov. 13, 2025, Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 7, 2016
Scott Jensen. One term in the Minnesota Senate (District 47, 2017 to 2021), vice chair of the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee; about 10 years on the Waconia School Board; family physician who opened Catalyst Medical Clinic in 2001.
Sources: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Legislators Past and Present, Ballotpedia, committee assignments 2019-2020, Chaska Herald (SWNewsMedia), 2016, MinnPost, July 26, 2019
Jay Reeves. Seventeen years in the U.S. Army (2006 to 2023), enlisted then commissioned, retiring as a major; graduate degree from the University of Minnesota (2019); earlier work as a union truck driver and warehouse worker. No elected office or documented command.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Zack Filipovich. Published specific plans within the office's powers: strengthening local internal controls, resource sharing among local governments, a finance-workforce pipeline for Greater Minnesota, faster audits by reducing office turnover, open houses and forums. Chaired the Duluth council's Finance Committee.
Sources: Ballotpedia Candidate Connection, submitted Sept. 15, 2026, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Scott Jensen. Vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, 2017 to 2020. Published auditor priorities on fraud, whistleblowers, Legislative Auditor collaboration and unfunded mandates; KAXE noted that changing state mandates belongs to the Legislature.
Sources: Ballotpedia, committee assignments 2019-2020, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Jay Reeves. Published priorities in general terms: cybersecurity, real-time fraud detection using existing state software, a streamlined reporting portal for local governments and an interactive public data site.
Sources: Ballotpedia Candidate Connection, 2025, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Zack Filipovich. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey (January and September 2026), answered the KAXE and KTTC election guides, took part in two 2026 forums and publishes issue pages on his campaign site. Four channels.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026, KTTC, July 31, 2026, Pioneer Press, Sept. 30, 2026
Scott Jensen. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on Aug. 27, 2026, answered the KAXE and KTTC election guides, took part in two 2026 forums and publishes a priorities page on his campaign site. Four channels.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026, KTTC, July 31, 2026, Pioneer Press, Sept. 30, 2026
Jay Reeves. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025 (and in 2024 for a prior race), answered the KAXE and KTTC election guides, and took part in two 2026 forums. Three or more channels.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026, KTTC, July 31, 2026, Pioneer Press, Sept. 30, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Zack Filipovich. Born and raised in Duluth, graduate of Duluth Central High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth, and lives in Duluth. Share of contributions from inside Minnesota not available from the Campaign Finance Board viewer.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, April 14, 2021, Ballotpedia, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, officers tab
Scott Jensen. Born in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; a Chaska resident when elected to the Senate in 2016 and listed at a Chaska address on his 2026 committee registration. Share of contributions from inside Minnesota not available from the Campaign Finance Board viewer.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Legislators Past and Present, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, officers tab
Jay Reeves. Born and raised on the East Side of St. Paul; lives in Victoria, Minnesota, the address on his committee registration. Share of contributions from inside Minnesota not available from the Campaign Finance Board viewer.
Sources: KTTC, July 31, 2026, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, officers tab, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Zack Filipovich. Campaign reports on file with the Campaign Finance Board, no board actions listed. Finance manager at Northspan; chaired the council Finance Committee and was secretary of the Duluth Economic Development Authority board. Size of organizations led not published.
Sources: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, reports tab, Duluth News Tribune, April 14, 2021
Scott Jensen. Opened and runs Catalyst Medical Clinic (since 2001). His 2022 governor campaign raised $5,872,561 and spent $5,856,979 with no Campaign Finance Board action against the committee; 2026 committee reports on file with no board actions listed.
Sources: Chaska Herald (SWNewsMedia), 2016, Ballotpedia, campaign finance summary, Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, Board actions tab
Jay Reeves. Campaign reports on file with the Campaign Finance Board with no board actions listed. No independent record of the size of organizations he led.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Zack Filipovich. As a councilor, co-introduced Duluth's Tobacco 21 ordinance, adopted 6 to 2 on Jan. 28, 2019, and co-sponsored the 2018 and 2019 levy amendments that phased out the city's monthly streetlight fee.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 28, 2019, Duluth News Tribune, Sept. 23, 2019, Duluth News Tribune, Dec. 10, 2018
Scott Jensen. Chief Senate author of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Act (SF 278), Chapter 39 of 2019, and Senate author of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act (HF 3100), Chapter 73 of 2020. MPR counted nine of his bills enacted.
Sources: Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, SF 278 (2019), Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, HF 3100 (2020), MPR News, Oct. 25, 2022
Jay Reeves. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Zack Filipovich. No public record found.
Scott Jensen. No public record found.
Jay Reeves. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Zack Filipovich. No public record found.
Scott Jensen. No public record found.
Jay Reeves. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Zack Filipovich. No public record found.
Scott Jensen. His 2019 PBM bill passed the Senate 67 to 0 and House 130 to 2; his 2020 insulin bill passed the Senate 67 to 0 after he worked with DFL Gov. Walz. MinnPost called him the DFL's favorite Republican.
Sources: Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, SF 278 (2019), House actions, Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, HF 3100 (2020), Senate actions, MPR News, Oct. 25, 2022, MinnPost, July 26, 2019
Jay Reeves. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Zack Filipovich. No public record found.
Scott Jensen. No public record found.
Jay Reeves. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Minnesota state auditor race?
Scott Jensen has the strongest record in the Minnesota state auditor race. Scott Jensen scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Zack Filipovich at 60 and Jay Reeves at 56, as of October 5, 2026. Scott Jensen's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Zack Filipovich's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Minnesota state auditor race in 2026?
Zack Filipovich (DFL), Scott Jensen (Republican), Jay Reeves (Forward Independence). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Zack Filipovich a good candidate for State Auditor?
Zack Filipovich scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Scott Jensen a good candidate for State Auditor?
Scott Jensen scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Jay Reeves a good candidate for State Auditor?
Jay Reeves scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Minnesota race scored, and the Minnesota 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.