Josh Duhamel Urges Minnesotans to Vote in Midterms as Sacred Duty

Josh Duhamel is urging Minnesotans to head to the polls, posting a new video on Instagram that frames the upcoming midterms as a critical moment for the state. The actor addressed his followers with what he called a "PSA to the great people of Minnesota," asking them to pack the voting lines in what he affectionately labeled "God's country."

"This is such an important, such an important time," Duhamel said in the clip, his tone urgent. "We have to get out there. We have to vote. Every single person." He praised Minnesota as his second favorite state in the nation, trailing only North Dakota, and insisted it is "worth saving."

He stopped short of endorsing specific candidates, clarifying that he would never tell voters who to choose. Instead, he described casting a ballot as a "job as an American citizen" and a "sacred duty." To him, the act of selecting decision-makers is a blessing, and he is pushing for 100 percent turnout. "Go Viks! Woo!" he cheered at the end of the video.

The message sparked a firestorm in the comments. Although Duhamel remained nonpartisan, fans jumped in to interpret his phrase "worth saving" through their own political lenses. Some declared, "Worth saving means vote red. Good man @joshduhamel," while others shouted, "Red red red all down the ballot." A third user simply wrote, "Vote RED! Save America."

The reaction was sharply divided. On the other side of the aisle, one commenter urged, "Vote blue save us all!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙." Another added, "Let’s go blue! Please save our children! 💙" The comments section became a microcosm of the national political tension, with supporters on both sides rallying behind their preferred party in response to the actor's call to action.

Duhamel’s connection to the region runs deep. In July, he listed his Los Angeles home for sale, a move that follows his family's relocation to Fargo, North Dakota, just over a year prior. Beyond his primary residence in the Dakotas, he maintains a cabin about an hour and a half away in Minnesota, a place he frequents to disconnect from the digital noise.

Speaking to People in September 2025, the "Ransom Canyon" star reflected on how stepping away from modern luxuries has been rejuvenating. He noted that learning to handle basic tasks again was "really, really good." At the cabin, his blood pressure drops, and he finds a sense of peace. His days are filled with fixing things, working on projects, caring for his family, pulling his kids on a tube, and cooking... all the simple acts that urban life often obscures.

The actor lives at the off-grid property with his wife, Audra Mari, and their 2-year-old son, Shepherd. His 13-year-old son, Axl, whom he shares with ex-wife Fergie, also spends time there. In an April 2025 interview with Parade, Duhamel revealed he spent 15 years building the cabin. For him, the retreat is a chance to "get back to the basics" and shield his children from distractions. He noted that Axl is not glued to an iPad all day; instead, he plays sports, explores the woods, and enjoys the outdoors.

"I have a little baby who's going to experience the same thing," Duhamel said, expressing a hope to pass this lifestyle down to his sons so they can share it with their future families. He emphasized that it is not about amenities or luxuries, but about family and legacy. "It's really important to me that they have this," he said.