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1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election

(Redirected from Minnesota gubernatorial election, 1994)

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.

1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election
← 1990 November 8, 1994 1998 →
 
Nominee Arne Carlson John Marty
Party Ind.-Republican Democratic (DFL)
Running mate Joanne Benson Nancy Larson
Popular vote 1,094,165 589,344
Percentage 63.34% 34.12%
Carlson:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Marty:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes
Governor before election

Arne Carlson
Republican

Elected Governor

Arne Carlson
Republican

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.

Republican Party

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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

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Primary results

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Republican primary results by county
  Carlson
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Quist
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
1994 Republican gubernatorial primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arne Carlson (incumbent) 321,084 66.5
Republican Allen Quist 161,670 33.5
Total votes 482,754 100.0

Democratic Party

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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

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  • Tony Bouza, former Minneapolis Chief of Police and director of the Minnesota Gaming Commission
    • Running mate: Kim Stokes, Britt resident
  • Mike Hatch, former commissioner of Commerce and candidate for governor in 1990
  • John Marty, State Senator from Roseville
    • Running mate: Nancy Larson, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities
  • Richard T. Van Bergen, Buffalo resident and Lyndon LaRouche supporter
    • Running mate: Glenn Mesaros, Minneapolis resident and perennial candidate

Withdrew

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Primary results

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Democratic primary results by county
  Marty
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Hatch
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
1994 Democratic gubernatorial primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Marty 144,462 37.8
Democratic Mike Hatch 139,109 36.4
Democratic Tony Bouza 98,341 25.7
Democratic Richard T. Van Bergen 4,761 1.2
Total votes 382,163 100.0

General election

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Campaign

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The 1994 election nationwide was noted for a GOP wave of election victories.[2] In Minnesota, that wave wasn't as evident, as half of the statewide elections went for each party. The GOP won the governorship and U.S. Senator positions, and the DFL won the State Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer positions. Additionally, the Minnesota State House remained in DFL control by a 72–64 margin.[3] 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.[4]

Candidates

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Polling

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Source Date Carlson (R) Marty (D)
St. Paul Pioneer Press Oct. 2, 1994 54% 29%

Debate

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1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election debate
No. Date Host Moderator Link Republican Democratic
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Arne Carlson John Marty
1 Nov. 1, 1994 League of Women Voters
WCCO (AM)
WCCO-TV 		C-SPAN P P

Results

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1994 Gubernatorial Election, Minnesota
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ind.-Republican Arne Carlson (incumbent) 1,094,165 63.34% +13.24%
Democratic (DFL) John Marty 589,344 34.12% −12.65%
Grassroots Will Shetterly 20,785 1.20% +0.24%
Libertarian Eric Olson 15,467 0.90% n/a
Natural Rights Alliance Leslie Davis 4,611 0.27% n/a
Socialist Workers Jon Hillson 3,022 0.17% n/a
Majority 504,821 29.22%
Turnout 1,727,394
Ind.-Republican hold Swing
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References

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  1. ^ a b Minnesota Election Results 1994, p.5-6 Retrieved Oct 20, 2014
  2. ^ Berke, Richard (November 9, 1994). "THE 1994 ELECTIONS: THE OVERVIEW; G.O.P. WINS CONTROL OF SENATE AND MAKES BIG GAINS IN HOUSE; PATAKI DENIES CUOMO 4TH TERM". New York Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  3. ^ Session Weekly, Minnesota House of Representatives, Published Jan 6, 1995, Vol. 12, Number 1 Retrieved Oct 20, 2014
  4. ^ Minnesota Election Results 1994, p.29-30 Retrieved Oct 20, 2014
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