1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Country:Minnesota
Flag Year:1983
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1990 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1990
Next Election:1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Next Year:1998
Election Date:November 8, 1994
Image1:File:Arne Carlson - Photograph by Dave Saville taken on 04-08-1997 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Arne Carlson
Running Mate1:Joanne Benson
Party1:Independent-Republican Party
Popular Vote1:1,094,165
Percentage1:63.34%
Nominee2:John Marty
Running Mate2:Nancy Larson
Party2:Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Popular Vote2:589,344
Percentage2:34.12%
Map Size:280px
Governor
Before Election:Arne Carlson
Before Party:Republican Party of Minnesota
After Election:Arne Carlson
After Party:Republican Party of Minnesota

The 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, in the midst of that year's Republican Revolution. Incumbent Republican Arne Carlson easily won re-election over Democrat–Farmer–Labor state senator John Marty.

To date, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Hennepin and Ramsey counties voted for the Republican candidate.This was the first time since 1950 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Minnesota was re-elected or won re-election. It is also the most recent time that a Republican has been elected with a majority of the votes, without a third party candidate splitting the DFL vote.

Republican Party

While incumbent Arne Carlson was popular in the state, he was not popular with rank-and-file Republicans, who viewed his victory in 1990 as an accident, as he was chosen as a replacement nominee shortly before the general election. Carlson, who was pro-choice and in favor of extending civil rights to homosexuals, was seen as too moderate by delegates to the GOP state convention, who ultimately chose former state representative Allen Quist, a staunch conservative, as their nominee. Ultimately, though, Carlson easily defeated Quist in the state primary, putting himself on the ballot for November.

Candidates

Primary results

Democratic Party

At the DFL convention, Marty received the party endorsement, beating back a strong challenge by three opponents, one of whom Mike Freeman, son of a popular former governor withdrew, but Marty still faced a strong challenge from former Minneapolis Chief of Police Tony Bouza. Bouza faded, however, when it was revealed that he supported severe restrictions on handguns. Marty ultimately won a narrow victory in the primary over former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch, who lost his second consecutive gubernatorial primary.

Candidates

Primary results

General election

Campaign

The 1994 election nationwide was noted for a GOP wave of election victories.[1] In Minnesota, that wave wasn't as evident as half of the statewide elections went for each party. With the GOP winning the governor and U.S. Senator positions and the DFL winning the State Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer positions. As well, the Minnesota State House remained in DFL control by a 72-64 margin.[2] The results of the gubernatorial general election were: Arne Carlson 1,094,165, John Marty 589,344, Will Shetterly 20,785, Jon Hillson 3,022, Eric Arthur Olson 15,467, Leslie Davis 4,611.[3]

Candidates

Results

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/09/us/1994-elections-overview-gop-wins-control-senate-makes-big-gains-house-pataki.html THE 1994 ELECTIONS: THE OVERVIEW; G.O.P. WINS CONTROL OF SENATE AND MAKES BIG GAINS IN HOUSE; PATAKI DENIES CUOMO 4TH TERM Retrieved Oct 20, 2014
  2. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/swkly/1995-96/sw121.txt Session Weekly, Minnesota House of Representatives, Published Jan 6, 1995, Vol. 12, Number 1 Retrieved Oct 20, 2014
  3. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/sessions/electionresults/1994-11-08-g-sec.pdf Minnesota Election Results 1994, p.29-30 Retrieved Oct 20, 2014