1988 Election Cycle

The state backed a Democrat for president for the fourth consecutive cycle with Michael Dukakis at the top of the ticket.

Down ballot, Independent-Republican U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger had little trouble winning reelection to a third term.

Meanwhile there was no turnover in the U.S. House delegation with five DFL and three GOP incumbents winning reelection for a third consecutive cycle.

Republicans netted one seat in the state House as the DFL maintained a large 81-53 seat margin.

Associate Justice John Simonett was reelected to the Supreme Court for a third term without opposition.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
12/20/1988 State Senate, District 48 Special Patrick D. (Pat) McGowan (Independent-Republican) won with 3,409 votes (64.31%) and a winning margin of +28.62
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Patrick D. (Pat) McGowan Man Independent-Republican 3,409 64.31
George Gmach Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 1,892 35.69

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Senator Tad Jude on January 3, 1989 after being elected Hennepin County Commissioner. McGowan was a Minneapolis police sergeant. Gmach was a member of the Corcoran City Council.

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12/06/1988 State Senate, District 48 Special Primary George Gmach (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 1,074 votes (68.63%) and a winning margin of +37.25
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
George Gmach Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 1,074 68.63
Kathleen (Kiki) Clements Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 491 31.37

Special primary election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Senator Tad Jude on January 3, 1989 after being elected Hennepin County Commissioner. Gmach was a member of the Corcoran City Council and the DFL-endorsed candidate.

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12/06/1988 State Senate, District 48 Special Primary Patrick D. (Pat) McGowan (Independent-Republican) won
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Patrick D. (Pat) McGowan Man Independent-Republican N/A 100.00

Special primary election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of DFL Senator Tad Jude on January 3, 1989 after being elected Hennepin County Commissioner. McGowan was a Minneapolis police sergeant.

McGownan's raw vote total was not available.

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11/08/1988 State House, District 63A General Mary Jo McGuire (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 8,757 votes (51.19%) and a winning margin of +2.51
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Mary Jo McGuire Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 8,757 51.19
Karen Bondy Woman Independent-Republican 8,327 48.68

Bondy was nominated by convention after the death of Independent-Republican Representative John Rose on July 19, 1988.

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11/08/1988 State House, District 63B General Ann Wynia (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 10,772 votes (75.17%) and a winning margin of +50.34
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ann Wynia Incumbent Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 10,772 75.17
Kim Reckinger Man Independent-Republican 3,558 24.83
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