1978 Election Cycle

The Independent-Republicans enjoyed their best election cycle in decades – making huge gains in executive and legislative contests. Al Quie and running mate Lou Wangberg defeated Governor Rudy Perpich and Lieutenant Governor Alec Olson. Down the ballot, GOP state Representative Arne Carlson defeated Auditor Bob Mattson, Jr. The DFL did hold three seats in St. Paul with Secretary of State Joan Anderson Growe, Attorney General Warren Spannaus, and Treasurer Jim Lord.

The GOP also flipped both U.S. Senate seats with Plymouth businessman Rudy Boschwitz defeating appointed U.S. Senate Wendell Anderson by 16 points and Minneapolis attorney Dave Durenberger winning the special election to Hubert Humphrey’s old seat by 26 points. Both parties retained control of their respective congressional districts (five for the GOP and three for the DFL).

The Independent-Republicans also gained 32 seats in the state House to draw even with a 67-67 tie for the subsequent legislature in January 1979.

Associate Justices C. Donald Peterson and Rosalie Wahl were elected to the Supreme Court. Wahl was the first woman to serve on and be elected to the Court in state history.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
12/19/1978 State Senate, District 13 Special David E. (Dave) Rued (Independent-Republican) won with 7,507 votes (56.79%) and a winning margin of +13.58
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
David E. (Dave) Rued Man Independent-Republican 7,507 56.79
Donald B. (Don) Samuelson Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 5,712 43.21

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Senator Win Borden in November 1978.

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12/05/1978 State Senate, District 13 Special Primary Donald B. (Don) Samuelson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 999 votes (100.00%) and a winning margin of +100.00
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Donald B. (Don) Samuelson Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 999 100.00

Special primary election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Senator Win Borden in November 1978.

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12/05/1978 State Senate, District 13 Special Primary David E. (Dave) Rued (Independent-Republican) won with 5,032 votes (88.40%) and a winning margin of +76.81
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
David E. (Dave) Rued Man Independent-Republican 5,032 88.40
Ernie Alexander Man Independent-Republican 660 11.60

Special primary election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Senator Win Borden in November 1978.

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11/07/1978 State House, District 03B General Norman Prahl (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 7,357 votes (51.07%) and a winning margin of +21.10
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Norman Prahl Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 7,357 51.07
Robert (Bob) Lemen Man Independent-Republican 4,318 29.97
John J. Hovanec Man Independent 2,731 18.96
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11/07/1978 State House, District 03A General Irvin N. (Irv) Anderson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 6,474 votes (62.08%) and a winning margin of +24.15
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Irvin N. (Irv) Anderson Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 6,474 62.08
Chet Cook Man Independent-Republican 3,955 37.92
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