News

Winona Holds Their Precinct Caucus to Hear Local Voices

2026 is a caucus year and Winona hosted two parties so the city could have its voice heard.

Elsa Schreiner, News Reporter

February 11, 2026

At Winona State University, campus activities after 6 p.m. were cancelled on February 3 due to the precinct caucus. Caucuses are the first step in the party endorsement process for political candidates, and these caucuses are really about assessing grassroots and popular support for certain issues and candidates. It is a time for the people to express what is important to them and who they would like to politically support.

Across the state, and in many locations near Winona, caucuses were held this past Tuesday by local groups of political parties. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, the caucuses are run not by election officials, but by the political parties themselves. They are held once in even-numbered years and begin the march toward the next election season.

According to coverage from WXOW 19 News, some of the main issues discussed at the Winona caucus that was hosted by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party were environmental concerns like clean water, as well as the role of government authority and power. Three other caucuses were hosted nearby by the same party in Lewiston, St. Charles, and Dakota.

Republican caucuses were held in Winona, Lewiston, St. Charles, and Ridgeway. According to an article from KIMT 3 News, members of the GOP are looking to have a Republican as candidate for governor, and many are supporting Lisa Demuth, a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. DFL party members are voicing support for Amy Klobuchar, the senior U.S. Senator for Minnesota, for governor.

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The caucus process can look different between political party and location, but most times they are centered around picking volunteers to organize political activities like having meetings and helping to campaign, discussing important issues and convincing others to support issues, and choosing delegates to endorse candidates at more conventions or meetings in the future.

Caucuses are vital to the election process. Even the largest state-wide policies or changes start right with the everyday local people who experience the effects of these laws on a personal level. Caucuses are an effective way to hear everyone’s voice and for potential political candidates to understand what is important to the people they are representing. While there are certainly many ways to voice one’s political opinion, attending a local caucus is a great way to be part of the ground-floor of a political movement and ensure that your voice is being heard.

More results will continue to be released as time goes on about precinct caucus preferences for candidates, and as elections draw closer, the issues brought up at caucus will hopefully make it into mainstream political discourse.

About the Contributors

Elsa Schreiner, News Reporter

Elsa is in her second year at Winona State as an English Literature and Language major and an Applied Professional Writing minor. She has been a news writer for the Winonan for a year and most enjoys hearing the stories of the people she interviews. Beyond school, Elsa enjoys reading classic books, spending time outside, watching her favorite movies over and over again, and drinking coffee. On campus, she is also involved in the Catholic Newman center—she leads a Bible study and works on the student ministry team.

Elly Herrick, Features Editor

Elly Herrick (she/they) is the Features Editor for the Winonan. Herrick is currently in her fourth year at Winona State University, majoring in Mass Communications: Public Relations with minors in Photography and Creative Digital Media. In addition to working for the Winonan, she is also an Production Assistant with KQAL and a Resident Assistaint for East Lake. She also works in TV Services and will most likely be found in Phelps Hall. Outside of school, Herrick loves to spend time with loved ones and being outside. She also loves long walks outside and seeing live music.

Jade McElmury, Arts and Opinion Editor

Jade McElmury (they/she) is the News Editor and writer for the Winonan as of fall 2024. McElmury is currently in their third year at Winona State University, majoring in Communication, Arts, & Literature (Teaching) with a minor Communication Studies (Teaching). In addition to working for the Winonan, McElmury works in the HERS Department Office and as a Direct Support Provider in a HCO group home. Outside of university, McElmury loves to spend her time thrifting with their friends, reading a good horror or classic book, and getting a Strawberry Horizon from Scooters. McElmury also enjoys listening to a variety of music ranging from Midwest emo to Kpop.

Gabe Slavin, Sports Editor

Gabe (he/him) is the Sports Editor of the Winonan. He is a second-year student with a Mass Communication: Creative Digital Media major, with a minor in Sports Business at Winona State University. He has worked with the Winonan as a Sports Reporter since Spring 2025. As well as working at the Winonan, Gabe also works with the KQAL on-campus radio station, assisting with sports broadcasts and as an on-air personality on the Sports Rundown. He works in Winona State Tech Support as a Technician since Fall 2024. During non-school hours, Gabe loves to watch sports with friends, play video games, and listening to music. Another thing he loves to do is watch popular television shows of the past. He is a big fan of old pop culture and likes to look back at what previous trends were like, connecting to how times have changed overtime.

Larissa Lopez, Film Reviewer & Illustrator

Larissa Lopez (she/her/hers) is the Movie Reviewer and Illustrator for The Winonan for the 2025-2026 academic year. Lopez is an international student from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and is currently in her fourth year at Winona State University, majoring in Finance with a minor in Investments and Economics.  In addition to working for The Winonan, Lopez is also a Conway Resident Assistant, head of Finance of the Case Competition Club and Business Law Association, member of the Sales Team, and member of the COB Dean’s Advisory Board.  Outside of university, Lopez loves to spend time playing video games, hanging out with friends, and baking sweet treats.  She also enjoys listening to music at almost all times, and has a passion for film, with her favorite film of all time being Everything Everywhere All at Once, and her favorite show being Succession.  Find her star ratings in Letterboxd at: LarissaWatches 

Pronob Kumar, Business & Distribution Manager

Pronob Kumar (he/him) is a Business Manager, Sports Reporter, and Photographer for the Winonan as of Spring 2022. Pronob is currently in his fourth year at Winona State University, majoring in Applied Computer Science & Data Science and with minors in Physics & Mathematics. In addition to working for the Winonan, Pronob is also a part of the IT Infrastructure team in Winona State. He is also a Teaching Assistant for the Computer Science department. In addition to that, he is also a Senior tutor for the tutoring services. Outside of university, Pronob loves to spend time with his friends. He also enjoys cooking, board games, hiking, and fishing. Besides all this Pronob loves to have a long sleep (for like 12+ hours) on the weekends.