1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election
November 8, 1994
 
Nominee Arne Carlson John Marty
Party Ind.-Republican Democratic (DFL)
Running mate Joanne Benson Nancy Larson
Popular vote 1,094,165 589,344
Percentage 63.3% 34.1%
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

Republican primary results by county
  Carlson
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Quist
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Democratic primary results by county
  Marty
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Hatch
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%

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 him on the ballot for November.

Candidates

Primary results

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

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

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

Campaign

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. 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.[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

Polling

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

Results

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

References

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