2010 Election Cycle

The 2010 cycle was one of the most unusual in Minnesota history with the DFL sweeping all five constitutional offices and Republicans decisively taking back control of both state legislative chambers.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton and running mate and state Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon ended a five-cycle DFL gubernatorial losing streak – one of the longest Democratic droughts for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor in the nation. Their victory over state Representative Tom Emmer and running mate Annette Meeks was the second closest gubernatorial race in Minnesota history at 0.42 points. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Auditor Rebecca Otto, and Attorney General Lori Swanson were reelected to complete the DFL sweep.

But Republicans scored a major upset in the 8th CD when Chip Cravaack unseated Transportation Committee Chair Jim Oberstar – the longest serving member of congress in Minnesota history at 36 years. The remaining seven incumbents were reelected leaving each party with four seats in the 112th Congress.

The GOP also gained 16 seats in the state Senate to take control of the chamber with a 37-30 seat margin and netted 25 seats in the state House to flip the chamber with a 72-62 margin.

Associate Justices Alan Page, Helen Meyer, and Christopher Dietzen were each elected to full terms.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/02/2010 State House, District 67B General Sheldon Johnson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 5,986 votes (70.42%) and a winning margin of +41.15
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Sheldon Johnson Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 5,986 70.42
Cheryl Golden-Black Woman Republican 2,488 29.27
11/02/2010 State House, District 67A General Tim Mahoney (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 5,719 votes (71.66%) and a winning margin of +43.55
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Tim Mahoney Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 5,719 71.66
Catherine O. (Cathy) Hennelly Woman Republican 2,243 28.10
11/02/2010 State House, District 66B General Alice Hausman (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 11,773 votes (78.27%) and a winning margin of +56.78
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Alice Hausman Incumbent Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 11,773 78.27
Bob Koss Man Republican 3,232 21.49
11/02/2010 State House, District 66A General John Lesch (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 4,894 votes (71.20%) and a winning margin of +42.80
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Lesch Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 4,894 71.20
Chris Conner Man Republican 1,952 28.40
11/02/2010 State House, District 50A General Carolyn Laine (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 7,674 votes (59.68%) and a winning margin of +19.52
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Carolyn Laine Incumbent Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 7,674 59.68
Timothy D. (Tim) Utz Man Republican 5,164 40.16