The Green Papers: Minnesota 2008 General Election
This page is for offices up for election in 2008. Find 2009 elections here.
 
Flag images courtesy of The World Flag Database. Copyright http://www.flags.net/ Minnesota
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
Primary: Tuesday 9 September 2008
General Election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Electoral Votes:10(1.86% of 538)
Governor:1 
Senators:2(Electoral Classes 1 and 2)
2002-2010 Representatives:8(1.84% of 435)
2000 Census:4,925,670 (1.75% of 281,998,273)
Estimated Voting age population (November 2000):3,547,000
Registered Voters (November 2000):3,265,324
Capital:St. Paul
Tuesday 9 September 2008 polling hours 7:00a CDT (1200 UTC) to 8:00p CDT (0100 UTC). Voting begins at 10:00 AM in some townships.
Tuesday 4 November 2008 polling hours 7:00a CST (1300 UTC) to 8:00p CST (0200 UTC). Voting begins at 10:00 AM in some townships.
 

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Minnesota State and Local Government

Minnesota 2008 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions:
Democrats, Republicans, Third Parties


13 January 2009: Minnesota Secretary of State - November 4, 2008 General Election Results


6 January 2008: Recount Canvassing Report - 2008 Minnesota State General Election - Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - Recount of the Votes Cast for United States Senator


26 September 2008: Synchronized with Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Certification of Candidates for State General Election.


Tuesday 9 September 2008 Primaries

MINNESOTA PRIMARY Returns from an official source

 
           

President  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime. Electors: 10 (Winner-take-all), How Appointed, Meeting Place, Duly Appointed Presidential Electors, List of Presidential Candidates.
Up for election in 2008
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 1,573,354 54.06% Senator Barack Hussein Obama
(10 Electoral Votes)
Vice President: Senator Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.

FEC P80003338: $778,642,047
  Candidate Republican 1,275,409 43.82% Senator John Sidney McCain, III
Vice President: Governor Sarah H. Palin

FEC P80002801: $399,826,076
  Candidate Independent 30,152 1.04% Ralph Nader
Vice President: Matt Gonzalez

FEC P20000527: $4,520,160
  Candidate Write-in 9,496 0.33% Write-in
  Candidate Libertarian 9,174 0.32% former Congressman Bob Barr
Vice President: Wayne Allyn Root

FEC P80005580: $1,405,899
  Candidate Constitution 6,787 0.23% Charles Obadiah "Chuck" Baldwin
Vice President: Darrell L. Castle

FEC P80005499: $262,010
  Candidate Green 5,174 0.18% former Congressman Cynthia A. McKinney
Vice President: Rosa A. Clemente

FEC P80004930: $240,360
  Candidate Socialist Workers Party 790 0.03% Róger Calero
Vice President: Alyson Kennedy

FEC P80005481: Financial report not available
  Candidate Write-in; (America's Independent) 22 0.00% former Ambassador Alan L. Keyes
Vice President: Brian Rohrbough

FEC P60003076: $481,991
  Candidate Write-in; (Socialist Party USA) 7 0.00% Brian Patrick Moore
Vice President: Stewart A. Alexander

FEC P80005275: $9,516
  Candidate Write-in 3 0.00% Joseph Charles "Average Joe" Schriner
Vice President: Dale Way

FEC P00003962: $17,270
  Candidate Write-in 1 0.00% Curtis Montgomery
Vice President: Janice Montgomery
  Candidate Write-in; (HeartQuake '08) 0 0.00% Jonathan Edward Allen
Vice President: Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Stath

FEC P80005119: $95,029
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% James Germalio
Vice President: Martin Wishnatsky
  Candidate Write-in; (Green) 0 0.00% Keith Russell Judd
Vice President: Monty W. Judd

FEC P60003530: $532,837
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Jeffrey S. Lehmann
Vice President: Eric Wasness
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Glen John Mansfield
Vice President: Vanessa Surratt
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Mel Moench
Vice President: Michael Reynolds
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Frank Moore
Vice President: Susan Block
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Debra Joyce Renderos
Vice President: Oscar R. Renderos
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Oscar R. Renderos
Vice President: Debra Joyce Renderos
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Platt Robertson
Vice President: Scott Falls
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% David Jon Sponheim
Vice President: Marshal Tanchuck
Total 2,910,369 100.00%  

U.S. Senate  6 year term. No Term Limit. 110th Senate  Senate Electoral Classes

Class 1 Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012

Class 2
Seat up for election
Republican Senator Norm Coleman
First elected: 2002
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Toss-up - Republican Senator Norm Coleman vs. Democratic-Farmer Labor Al Franken
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 1,212,629 41.99% Al Franken
Announced his intention to run 29 January 2007.
 
30 June 2009: Minnesota Supreme Court declares Democrat Al Franken the winner of the November 2008 US Senate contest. Norm Coleman to concede in Minnesota Senate dispute. Media reports indicate that now-former US Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota) will concede, thus paving the way for Al Franken- the Democratic victor of the 2008 Election to the Class 2 seat from that State to be seated in the United States Senate.
"Ours is a government of laws, not men and women. The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken and I respect its decision and will abide by the result. It's time for Minnesota to come together under the leaders it has chosen and move forward. I join all Minnesotans in congratulating our newest United States Senator – Al Franken." --Senator Norm Coleman (Senator Coleman's statement)

FEC S8MN00438: $22,502,124
  Candidate Republican 1,212,317 41.98% Senator Norm Coleman
FEC S2MN00126: $19,298,843
  Candidate Independence 437,505 15.15% former U.S. Senator Dean Malcolm Barkley
FEC S4MN00262: $163,358
  Candidate Libertarian 13,923 0.48% Charles Aldrich
FEC S8MN00545: Financial report not available
  Candidate Constitution 8,907 0.31% James Niemackl
FEC S8MN00511: Financial report not available
  Candidate Write-in 2,340 0.08% Write-in
  Candidate Scattering 42 0.00% Other
7 April 2009: The Office of the Secretary of State counted 351 absentee ballots that had been previously uncounted in the U.S. Senate election contest between Al Franken and Norm Coleman. A 3 judge panel, including Judge Elizabeth A. Hayden, Judge Kurt J. Marben and Judge Denise D. Reilly, ordered the counting of the ballots after hearing seven weeks of testimony and considering thousands of exhibits. Of the 351 ballots opened, Coleman received 111 votes, Franken 198. An additional 42 ballots were cast for other candidates and voters who opted to not vote in the Senate race. There were no votes challenged by either campaign. Reference: Certified Summary Statement

  Candidate Write-in 13 0.00% Michael Cavlan
  Candidate Write-in 12 0.00% Anthony Keith Price
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% John H. Evan
  Candidate Write-in; (Republican) 0 0.00% Jack Shepard
FEC S2MN00159: $22,501
Total 2,887,688 100.00%  
  

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Recount Guide

Monday 13 April 2009 update: The District Court has issued a judgement: "Based on the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and pursuant to Minnesota Stat. 209.12, the Court decides, declares, and adjudges that ... Al Franken ... received the highest number of votes ... and is entitled to receive the certificate of election". Signed by Judge Elizabeth A. Hayden, Judge Kurt J. Marben, and Judge Denise D. Reilly. Norm Coleman has 10 days to appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Reference: Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order for Judgment [No. 62-CV-09-56]


Governor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Term Limit: None, All Governors

  Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty
First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006
Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor     Tom Bakk
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor     Susan Gaertner
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor     State Representative Paul Thissen

Lieutenant Governor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010. Elected on a ticket with the Governor.

  Republican Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau
First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

110th U.S. House of Representatives  2 year term, Election Cycle 2006, 2008. No Term Limit. 110th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition):
5 Democratic (5 Renominated);
3 Republican (2 Renominated, 1 Open)

CD 1
{map}
Seat up for election
Democratic Congressman Timothy J. "Tim" Walz
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Leans Democratic - Democratic Congressman Timothy J. "Tim" Walz
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 207,753 62.50% Congressman Timothy J. "Tim" Walz
FEC H6MN01174: $2,732,738
  Candidate Republican 109,453 32.93% Brian James Davis
FEC H8MN01238: $1,097,200
  Candidate Independence 14,904 4.48% Gregory D. "Greg" Mikkelson
FEC H2MN01124: Financial report not available
  Candidate Write-in 290 0.09% Write-In
Total 332,400 100.00%  

CD 2
{map}
Seat up for election
Republican Congressman John P. Kline
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
First elected: 2002
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Republican Congressman John P. Kline
  Elected Republican 220,924 57.29% Congressman John P. Kline
FEC H8MN06047: $1,464,906
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor; (Independence) 164,093 42.55% Stephen Todd "Steve" Sarvi
FEC H8MN02046: $559,473
  Candidate Write-in 597 0.15% Write-In
  Candidate Write-in 41 0.01% Kevin Masrud
  Candidate Write-in 1 0.00% Curt Walor
Total 385,656 100.00%  

CD 3
{map}
Seat up for election
Open
Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad
First elected: 1990
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Open Seat - 17 September 2007: Announced that he will not seek re-election.
 Polls: Leans Democratic - Democratic-Farmer Labor Jigar Ashwin "Ashwin" Madia favored over Republican state Representative Erik Paulsen
 ** Open Seat (no incumbent) **
  Elected Republican 178,932 48.48% state Representative Erik Paulsen
FEC H8MN03077: $2,781,437
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor 150,787 40.85% Jigar Ashwin "Ashwin" Madia
FEC H8MN03085: $2,734,890
  Candidate Independence 38,970 10.56% David G. Dillon
FEC H8MN03101: $161,185
  Candidate Write-in 406 0.11% Write-in
  Candidate Write-in 9 0.00% Harley Swarm, Jr.
Total 369,104 100.00%  

CD 4
{map}
Seat up for election
Democratic Congressman Betty McCollum
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
First elected: 2000
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Democratic Congressman Betty McCollum
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 216,267 68.44% Congressman Betty McCollum
FEC H0MN04049: $722,054
  Candidate Republican 98,936 31.31% Edward T. "Ed" Matthews
FEC H8MN04075: $86,561
  Candidate Write-in 814 0.26% Write-in
  Candidate Write-in 1 0.00% Amber Garlan
Total 316,018 100.00%  

CD 5
{map}
Seat up for election
Democratic Congressman Keith Maurice Ellison
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Democratic Congressman Keith Maurice Ellison
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 228,776 70.88% Congressman Keith Maurice Ellison
FEC H6MN05183: $1,530,396
  Candidate Republican 71,020 22.00% Barbara Davis "Barb" White
FEC H8MN05130: $62,099
  Candidate Independence 22,318 6.92% Bill McGaughey
FEC H8MN05148: Financial report not available
  Candidate Write-in 633 0.20% Write-in
Total 322,747 100.00%  

CD 6
{map}
Seat up for election
Republican Congressman Michele M. Bachmann
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Leans Democratic - Democratic-Farmer Labor Elwyn Glenn "El" Tinklenberg favored over Republican Congressman Michele M. Bachmann
  Elected Republican 187,817 46.41% Congressman Michele M. Bachmann
FEC H6MN06074: $3,494,045
  Candidate Democratic-Farmer Labor 175,786 43.43% Elwyn Glenn "El" Tinklenberg
FEC H6MN06124: $2,968,319
  Candidate Independence 40,643 10.04% Bob Anderson
FEC H8MN06088: Financial report not available
  Candidate Write-in 459 0.11% Write-in
  Candidate Write-in; (Republican) 20 0.00% Abraham P. "Aubrey" Immelman
Lost the 9 September Republican Primary. May run as a write-in in the General Election.

FEC H8MN06070: $3,317
Total 404,725 100.00%  

CD 7
{map}
Seat up for election
Democratic Congressman Collin C. Peterson
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Democratic Congressman Collin C. Peterson
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 227,187 72.20% Congressman Collin C. Peterson
FEC H2MN07014: $1,218,264
  Candidate Republican 87,062 27.67% Glen R. Menze
FEC H0MN07034: $12,875
  Candidate Write-in 431 0.14% Write-in
  Candidate Write-in 0 0.00% Leon Carlton Williams
Total 314,680 100.00%  

CD 8
{map}
Seat up for election
Democratic Congressman James L. "Jim" Oberstar
• Re-elected Tuesday 4 November 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008
Renominated - 9 September 2008 Primary
 Polls: Democratic Congressman James L. "Jim" Oberstar
  Elected Democratic-Farmer Labor 241,831 67.69% Congressman James L. "Jim" Oberstar
FEC H6MN08047: $1,995,753
  Candidate Republican 114,871 32.15% Michael Cummins
FEC H8MN08035: $23,431
  Candidate Write-in 582 0.16% Write-in
Total 357,284 100.00%  

Secretary of State  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010

  Democratic-Farmer Labor Secretary of State Mark Ritchie
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Attorney General  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010

  Democratic-Farmer Labor Attorney General Lori Swanson
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Auditor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2010

  Democratic-Farmer Labor Auditor Rebecca Otto
First elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010

Political Parties    Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties
  Democratic (affiliates): 6 incumbents
  Democratic-Farmer Labor (affiliate of Democratic): 3 incumbents, 13 candidates
  Republican: 6 incumbents, 12 candidates
Major Third Parties
  Green (affiliates): 2 candidates
  Libertarian: 2 candidates
Other Third Parties
  America's Independent (affiliates): 1 candidate
  Constitution (affiliates): 2 candidates
  HeartQuake '08: 1 candidate
  Independence (affiliates): 6 candidates
  Socialist Party USA: 1 candidate
  Socialist Workers Party: 1 candidate
Independents
  Independent: 1 candidate
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
  Scattering: 1 candidate
  Write-in: 35 candidates
 
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from an election authority that the person so listed will actually appear on the ballot.
 
FEC indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary "Total Receipts" for candidates for Federal Office.

 


  2008 General Election Home  
 
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  Close Contests Summary - Decision by 2% or less  
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Electoral College
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