2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota
The 2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Minnesota , concurrently with the election of the Governor of Minnesota , as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections .
Incumbent Democratic–Farmer–Labor Senator Al Franken ran for re-election to a second term. Primary elections were held on August 12, 2014, in which Franken was renominated and the Republicans picked financial executive Mike McFadden. In the general election, Franken defeated him and Independence Party nominee Steve Carlson and Heather Johnson of the Libertarian Party with 53% of the vote. As of 2024, this is the last time that a male candidate won a U.S. Senate election in Minnesota. This is also the last time that the winner of Minnesota's Class 2 Senate seat won a majority of Minnesota's counties .
Background
Franken challenged incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman in 2008 . When the initial count was completed on November 18, Franken was trailing Coleman by 215 votes.[ 1] [ 2] This close margin triggered a mandatory recount.[ 3] [ 4] After reviewing ballots that had been challenged during the recount and counting 953 wrongly rejected absentee ballots, the State Canvassing Board officially certified the recount results with Franken holding a 225-vote lead.[ 5] [ 6]
On January 6, 2009, Coleman's campaign filed an election contest and on April 13, a three-judge panel dismissed Coleman's Notice of Contest and ruled that Franken had won the election by 312 votes.[ 7] Coleman's appeal of the panel's decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court was unanimously rejected on June 30,[ 8] and he conceded the election.[ 9] Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator on July 7, 2009.[ 10]
Because Franken's margin of victory was so slim, the seat was initially thought to be a top target for Republicans, but Politico reported in a May 2013 article that Franken's high approval rating, his large war chest, and the Republicans' struggle to find a top-tier candidate meant that Franken was the "heavy favorite" in the 2014 election.[ 11]
Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary
Candidates
Declared
Results
Republican primary
At the Republican State Convention on May 30–31, 2014, after ten ballots, Mike McFadden received the party's endorsement. Chris Dahlberg, Monti Moreno, Julianne Ortman and Phillip Parrish had all sought the endorsement but withdrew in favor of McFadden. Only Jim Abeler continued in the race and contested the August primary against McFadden.[ 15] [ 16] David Carlson did not participate in the convention after a dispute with party leadership over nominating petitions.[ 17] He, Patrick D. Munro and Ole Savior also appeared on the ballot.
Candidates
Declared
Jim Abeler , state representative[ 18]
David Carlson, veteran and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 [ 19]
Mike McFadden, financial executive[ 20] [ 21]
Patrick D. Munro[ 13]
Ole Savior, perennial candidate[ 13]
Withdrew
Declined
Michele Bachmann , U.S. Representative[ 29]
Laura Brod , former state representative[ 30]
Norm Coleman , former U.S. Senator[ 31]
Chip Cravaack , former U.S. Representative[ 32]
Bill Guidera, finance chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota [ 33]
Pete Hegseth , CEO of Concerned Veterans for America , former executive director of Vets For Freedom and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 [ 34]
John Kline , U.S. Representative[ 35]
Jason Lewis , radio talk show host and political commentator[ 36]
Erik Paulsen , U.S. Representative[ 37]
Tim Pawlenty , former governor of Minnesota [ 30]
Rich Stanek , Hennepin County Sheriff [ 30]
Endorsements
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Jim Abeler
David Carlson
Chris Dahlberg
David Latvaaho
Mike McFadden
Monti Moreno
Julianne Ortman
Phillip Parrish
Harold Shudlick
Other
Undecided
PPP [ 44]
October 27–29, 2013
305
±5.7%
12%
—
10%
—
11%
2%
12%
—
—
—
53%
TPC [ 45]
February 28–March 1, 2014
400
±4.9%
8%
—
4%
—
8%
1%
16%
0%
1%
—
52%
Suffolk [ 46]
April 24–28, 2014
800
± ?
8%
1%
2%
1%
12%
0%
14%
1%
—
—
63%
SurveyUSA [ 47]
June 5–9, 2014
404
± 5%
16%
—
—
—
44%
—
—
—
—
19%
21%
Hypothetical polling
Republican primary
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Michele Bachmann
Laura Brod
Chip Cravaack
John Kline
Erik Paulsen
Rich Stanek
Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 48]
January 18–20, 2013
275
± 5.9%
45%
4%
13%
19%
11%
2%
6%
Results
Independence primary
The Independence Party of Minnesota state convention was held on May 17, 2014, at Minnesota State University, Mankato .[ 49] Businessman Kevin Terrell won the party's endorsement, but lost the primary to Steve Carlson. Carlson did not ask for an endorsement from the Independence Party and self-identifies with the Tea party .[ 50] For their part, the Independence Party has disowned Carlson, who has defended Todd Akin 's controversial "legitimate rape" comments and said that George Zimmerman "provided a valuable service" by killing Trayvon Martin .[ 51]
Candidates
Declared
Jack Shepard, dentist, convicted felon, fugitive and perennial candidate[ 52]
Kevin Terrell, business consultant[ 53]
Withdrew
Results
Libertarian convention
The Libertarian Party of Minnesota state convention was held on April 26, 2014, in Maple Grove.[ 56]
Candidates
Nominee
General election
Debates
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Mike McFadden (R)
Steve Carlson (IP)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 62]
May 17–19, 2013
712
± 3.7%
51%
36%
—
—
13%
Public Policy Polling [ 63]
October 27–29, 2013
895
± 3.3%
49%
38%
—
—
13%
SurveyUSA /KSTP-TV [ 64]
February 25–27, 2014
545
± 4.3%
50%
40%
—
—
11%
Suffolk University [ 65]
April 24–28, 2014
800
± ?
44%
29%
—
7%
20%
SurveyUSA /KSTP-TV [ 66]
June 5–9, 2014
1,017
± 3.1%
48%
42%
—
5%[ 67]
5%
Public Policy Polling [ 68]
June 12–15, 2014
633
± 3.9%
49%
38%
—
—
13%
Gravis Marketing [ 69]
July 2–3, 2014
879
± 3%
51%
35%
13%
—
—
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 70]
July 5–24, 2014
3,185
± 2%
53%
40%
—
2%
4%
Rasmussen Reports [ 71]
August 13–14, 2014
750
± 4%
50%
42%
—
2%
6%
SurveyUSA /KSTP-TV [ 72]
August 19–21, 2014
600
± 4.1%
51%
42%
2%
2%
3%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 73]
August 18 – September 2, 2014
3,607
± 2%
49%
41%
—
1%
9%
Mason-Dixon /Star Tribune [ 74]
September 8–10, 2014
800
± 3.5%
49%
36%
3%
1%
11%
Rasmussen Reports [ 71]
September 29–30, 2014
750
± 4%
49%
41%
—
3%
6%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 75]
September 20 – October 1, 2014
2,562
± 2%
49%
42%
—
0%
8%
SurveyUSA /KSTP-TV [ 76]
September 30 – October 2, 2014
577
± 4.2%
55%
37%
3%
2%[ 77]
3%
Public Opinion Strategies [ 78]
October 5–7, 2014
500
± 4.4%
46%
39%
—
15%
SurveyUSA /KSTP-TV [ 79]
October 14–16, 2014
597
± 4.1%
53%
38%
3%
3%[ 80]
3%
Mason-Dixon /Star Tribune [ 81]
October 20–22, 2014
800
± 3.5%
48%
39%
3%
1%
9%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 75]
October 16–23, 2014
2,430
± 3%
51%
41%
—
1%
7%
SurveyUSA /KSTP-TV [ 82]
October 27–30, 2014
596
± 4.1%
51%
40%
4%
3%[ 80]
3%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
David Carlson (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 68]
June 12–15, 2014
633
± 3.9%
49%
38%
—
13%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Chris Dahlberg (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 63]
October 27–29, 2013
895
± 3.3%
49%
39%
—
12%
SurveyUSA [ 83]
February 25–27, 2014
545
± 4.3%
49%
41%
—
10%
Suffolk [ 90]
April 24–28, 2014
800
± ?
45%
28%
8%
20%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
John Kline (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 48]
January 18–20, 2013
1,065
± 3%
49%
41%
—
11%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Jason Lewis (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 62]
May 17–19, 2013
712
± 3.7%
54%
37%
—
9%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Monti Moreno (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 63]
October 27–29, 2013
895
± 3.3%
49%
36%
—
15%
SurveyUSA [ 83]
February 25–27, 2014
545
± 4.3%
50%
36%
—
15%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Patrick Munro (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 68]
June 12–15, 2014
633
± 3.9%
50%
35%
—
15%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Erik Paulsen (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 48]
January 18–20, 2013
1,065
± 3%
50%
39%
—
11%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Julie Rosen (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 62]
May 17–19, 2013
712
± 3.7%
52%
36%
—
12%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Ole Savior (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 68]
June 12–15, 2014
633
± 3.9%
50%
33%
—
17%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Harold Shudlick (R)
Other
Undecided
SurveyUSA [ 83]
February 25–27, 2014
545
± 4.3%
50%
36%
—
14%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Al Franken (DFL)
Rich Stanek (R)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 62]
May 17–19, 2013
712
± 3.7%
51%
36%
—
13%
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
By congressional district
Franken won 6 of 8 congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.[ 93]
See also
References
^ "State of Minnesota Canvassing Report" . Minnesota Secretary of State . November 18, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. and Dave Orrick (November 19, 2008). "Recount begins in U.S. Senate race; Ritchie hit with 'blizzard' of filings" . Pioneer Press . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Lopez, Patricia and Kevin Duchschere (November 5, 2008). "Senate race 100% counted: Coleman up; recount coming" . Star Tribune . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Duchschere, Kevin and Larry Oakes (November 22, 2008). "Day 4: Ballot-counters press on, find glitches" . Star Tribune . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ "Minnesota canvassing board certifies Franken win" . CNN Political Ticker . January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2009 .
^ Stern, Christopher (January 5, 2009). "Democrat Franken Wins Minnesota Recount, Coleman Vows Challenge" . Bloomberg News . Retrieved January 5, 2009 .
^ Doyle, Pat (April 14, 2009). "Judges rule Franken winner; Coleman to appeal" . Star Tribune . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Bakst, Brian (June 30, 2009). "Minn. Court Rules for Franken in Senate Fight" . Associated Press. Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Raju, Manu and Josh Kraushaar (June 30, 2009). "Norm Coleman concedes Minnesota Senate race to Al Franken" . Politico . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Fiore, Faye (July 8, 2009). "Al Franken sworn in, with a straight face" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ Hohmann, James (May 26, 2013). "Al Franken goes from top target to heavy favorite for Minnesota Senate" . Politico . Retrieved May 26, 2013 .
^ Mitchell, Corey (November 3, 2012). "Franken a player in Democrats' plan to keep Senate" . Star Tribune . Retrieved November 22, 2012 .
^ a b c "Candidate Filings" . Minnesota Secretary of State . June 3, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014 .
^ a b c "Statewide Results for U.S. Senator, Primary Election" . Minnesota Secretary of State . Retrieved August 13, 2014 .
^ "Minnesota GOP: McFadden endorsed for Senate on 10th ballot" . St. Paul Pioneer Press . May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014 .
^ "Dahlberg and McFadden still battling for Minnesota GOP endorsement; Ortman forced to exit Rochester fight" . MinnPost . May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014 .
^ "Nomination Dispute Triggers Carlson to Pull Out of GOP Convention" . PoliticsMN . May 26, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014 .
^ Pugmire, Tim and Tom Scheck (June 18, 2013). "State Rep. Abeler running for US Senate" . Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved June 18, 2013 .
^ "Franken's Republican foes' debate centers on defense" . MPR News . April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014 .
^ "Minnesota GOP: McFadden endorsed for Senate on 10th ballot" . twincities.com . May 30, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
^ Henry, Devin (May 29, 2013). "Businessman Mike McFadden to challenge Al Franken" . MinnPost . Retrieved May 29, 2013 .
^ Sommerhauser, Mark (June 2, 2014). "McFadden wins GOP's US Senate endorsement" . Sctimes.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014 .
^ "St. Louis County commissioner announces run for U.S. Senate" . Duluth News Tribune . August 20, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013 .
^ Zdechlik, Mark (September 12, 2013). "Monti Moreno enters Senate race, without musket" . Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
^ "GOP state senator Ortman to announce plans for US Senate race at weekend event" . Star Tribune . July 31, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013 .
^ "Dahlberg and McFadden still battling for Minnesota GOP endorsement; Ortman forced to exit Rochester fight" . minnpost.com . May 31, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
^ Carlson, Heather J. (January 17, 2014). "GOP Senate candidates face-off in tea party forum" . Post-Bulletin . Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014 .
^ Brodkorb, Michael (February 18, 2014). "The Buzz: Campaigns are Buzzing with Activity" . politics.mn . Retrieved March 2, 2014 .
^ Blake, Aaron (May 29, 2013). "Businessman Mike McFadden to challenge Sen. Al Franken" . The Washington Post . Retrieved May 30, 2013 .
^ a b c Joseph, Cameron; Hooper, Molly K. (November 17, 2012). "Republicans look to oust Franken" . The Hill . Retrieved November 22, 2012 .
^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (January 9, 2013). "Norm Coleman rules out Senate run, leaves door open to a gubernatorial run" . Star Tribune . Retrieved April 20, 2013 .
^ Diaz, Kevin (December 21, 2012). "Cravaack prepares to leave Minnesota, politics behind" . Star Tribune . Retrieved May 30, 2013 .
^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (December 8, 2012). "Minnesota Republicans hold a 'pick-up-the-pieces' gathering" . Star Tribune . Retrieved December 12, 2012 .
^ Riese, Clint (July 10, 2013). "Hegseth to sit out 2014 election" . Forest Lake Times . Retrieved August 12, 2013 .
^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (April 19, 2013). "Kline to seek re-election, not Senate or governor's office" . Star Tribune . Retrieved April 20, 2013 .
^ Henry, Devin (June 18, 2013). "Radio host Jason Lewis will not run for office next year" . MinnPost . Retrieved June 18, 2013 .
^ Diaz, Kevin (May 13, 2013). "U.S. Rep. Paulsen rules out run for Minnesota governor or U.S. Senate" . Star Tribune . Retrieved May 13, 2013 .
^ a b Joseph, Cameron (August 2, 2013). "Ex-Sens. Coleman, Grams endorse McFadden in Minnesota" . The Hill . Retrieved August 13, 2013 .
^ "Ortman's Senate Bid Gets A Palin Boost - CBS Minnesota" . CBS News . March 27, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2024 .
^ "Julianne Ortman Endorsed By Citizens United Political Victory Fund In Minnesota's U.S. Senate Republican Primary" . www.cupvf.org . April 3, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
^ "She Pac:Conservative Women" . Shepac . Archived from the original on March 29, 2014.
^ "Conservative Campaign Committee" . www.conservativecampaign.org . Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
^ "Press Release: MN Gun Owners PAC endorses Julianne Ortman for United States Senate - Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee" . mngopac.org . Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
^ PPP
^ TPC
^ Suffolk Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
^ a b SurveyUSA
^ a b c d e Public Policy Polling
^ "Events" . Independence Party of Minnesota . Retrieved February 15, 2014 .
^ "Tea Party Steve Carlson defeats IP endorsed candidate, nominated for Minnesota's U.S. Senator" . stevecarlsonforcongress2010.com . Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
^ Tom Scheck (August 15, 2014). "Independence Party disowns its Senate candidate" . Brainerd Dispatch . Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014 .
^ "Fugitive dentist Jack Shepard just wants to come home… and hold Al Franken's seat in Congress" . TwinCities.com. May 16, 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014 .
^ Cassie Hart (May 18, 2014). "Independence Party Endorses Candidates for Statewide Races" . KSTP-TV . Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014 .
^ Scheck, Tom (February 6, 2014). "Ron Paul backer announces Minn. Senate bid as Independence Party candidate" . Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved February 7, 2014 .
^ Cox, Peter (May 18, 2014). "Full Independence Party slate set for November elections" . Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved May 19, 2014 .
^ "2014 LPMN State Convention" . Libertarian Party of Minnesota . Archived from the original on April 30, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014 .
^ "Five statewide candidates up for nomination at LPMN Convention" . Libertarian Party of Minnesota . April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014 .
^ "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2014 Senate Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014" . Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ a b c d e f Public Policy Polling
^ a b c d e Public Policy Polling
^ SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV
^ Suffolk University Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
^ SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV
^ Kevin Terrell (IP) 4%, Other 1%
^ a b c d e Public Policy Polling
^ Gravis Marketing
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ a b Rasmussen Reports
^ SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ Mason-Dixon/Star Tribune
^ a b CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV
^ Heather Johnson (L) 1%, Other 1%
^ Public Opinion Strategies Archived October 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
^ SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV
^ a b Heather Johnson (L) 2%, Other 1%
^ Mason-Dixon/Star Tribune
^ SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV
^ a b c d e SurveyUSA
^ Suffolk Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
^ Kevin Terrell (IP) 6%, Other 2%
^ a b Public Policy Polling
^ a b c Public Policy Polling
^ a b c Public Policy Polling
^ a b c Public Policy Polling
^ Suffolk Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
^ Suffolk Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Statewide Results for U.S. Senator" . Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 19, 2014 .
^ "Home - Election Results" .
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