2002 Election Cycle

Governor Ventura became just the third Minnesota Governor since World War II to not seek a second term joining Republicans Harold LeVander (1970) and Al Quie (1982). Eagan Republican Representative Tim Pawlenty and running mate state Representative Carol Molnau won the open seats for Governor and Lieutenant Governor while Eagan Mayor Pat Anderson held the open Auditor seat for the GOP as did Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer. [Anderson's win was technically a pick-up as 1998 general election winner Judi Dutcher switched her partisan affiliation from Republican to DFL in January 2000]. DFL Attorney General Mike Hatch comfortably won reelection.

Two-term U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone was renominated by the DFL, but died in a plane crash 11 days before the general election. The party substituted Walter Mondale for Wellstone on the ballot, but St. Paul Mayor and Republican nominee Norm Coleman won the open seat.

After redistricting, the Republican Party was also able to pick up one U.S. House seat with John Kline unseating four-term 6th CD incumbent Bill Luther who chose to run in the 2nd CD. The GOP drew even with the DFL with each sending four U.S. Representatives to D.C.

Republicans netted five seats in the state Senate to shrink the DFL margin to 35-31 with one member of the Independence Party and netted 10 in the state House to open up an 81-52 margin on the DFL in the lower chamber.

Associate Justice Paul Anderson was elected to the Supreme Court for a third term.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/05/2002 State Senate, District 55 General Charles (Chuck) Wiger (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 20,890 votes (60.48%) and a winning margin of +21.08
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Charles (Chuck) Wiger Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 20,890 60.48
Joel Blackford Man Republican 13,609 39.40
11/05/2002 State Senate, District 56 General Brian LeClair (Republican) won with 19,857 votes (53.25%) and a winning margin of +6.59
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Brian LeClair Man Republican 19,857 53.25
Leonard (Len) Price Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 17,400 46.66
11/05/2002 State Senate, District 57 General Sharon Marko (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 16,634 votes (50.48%) and a winning margin of +8.32
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Sharon Marko Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 16,634 50.48
Kip Knippel Man Republican 13,892 42.16
D.D. (Dave) Engstrom Man Green 2,406 7.30
11/05/2002 State Senate, District 58 General Linda Higgins (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 13,026 votes (66.37%) and a winning margin of +46.80
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Linda Higgins Incumbent Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 13,026 66.37
Jeff Scott Man Republican 3,841 19.57
Sheree R. Breedlove Woman Independence 2,711 13.81

Rematch (Higgins vs. Breedlove)

See more details »
11/05/2002 State Senate, District 54 General John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 21,609 votes (56.86%) and a winning margin of +13.81
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Marty Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 21,609 56.86
Mark Zasadny Man Republican 16,359 43.04