Maple Grove’s Kristy Janigo Announces Run for State Senate

Local candidates are already beginning to announce intentions to run for the 2026 elections. One of them is Maple Grove City Council Member Kristy Janigo.

Janigo plans to run for the state Senate seat currently held by Sen. Warren Limmer in District 37.

Janigo told CCX News that after her time on the Maple Grove City Council, she is hoping to move her work to a bigger stage. Janigo is running as a Democrat for the District 37 seat, which serves Maple Grove, Corcoran, Medina, Greenfield, Independence, Maple Plain and Loretto.

“I’m really just looking for openness in the community. I’m huge on door knocking,” Janigo said. “I hope to get out there yet this summer and fall to talk to people, visit their communities… and just see what’s going on, so I can understand what their needs are.”

Janigo is a veteran and works with many veterans’ organizations. That includes her day job as a county veteran service officer and her work as the Minnesota Legislative Chair for the American Legion.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in St. Paul crafting bill legislation, finding bipartisan authors, testifying in committees and advocating for these bills to come to fruition for the expansion of veteran benefits,” Janigo said.

Kristy Janigo stands in front of the U.S. Capitol. She advocated for issues in Washington, D.C.

Janigo hopes to expand this work as an elected official. She said she already has ideas for some bills. Another one of her future focuses is infrastructure for growing communities like Maple Grove.

“It’s been really neat, as a council member, to see this growth kind of come to fruition,” Janigo said. “I want to make sure these communities are supported in their development process.”

Her run won’t be easy. Sen. Limmer, a Republican, has held the Maple Grove Senate seat since 1995. In the most recent session, he worked on the elections, public safety and rules, and administration committees.

Limmer did not immediately respond to CCX’s request for comment. He has not announced an official run yet, but is expected to. 

The seat will be up for election in November 2026.

Sen. Warren Limmer thanked police at the June 16 Maple Grove City Council meeting.

Maple Grove