View source for 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
<!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| country = Minnesota
| flag_year = 1983
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1994
| next_election = 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2002
| election_date = November 3, 1998
| image1 = File:Jesse Ventura 1996 (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Jesse Ventura]]'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[Mae Schunk]]'''
| party1 = Reform Party of the United States of America
| colour1 = {{party color|Reform Party (United States)}}
| popular_vote1 = '''773,713'''
| percentage1 = '''36.99%'''
| image_size = x150px
| image2 = File:Norm Coleman, official portrait (108th Congress).jpg
| nominee2 = [[Norm Coleman]]
| running_mate2 = [[Gen Olson]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 717,350
| percentage2 = 34.29%
| image3 = File:Hubert Humphrey III (cropped).jpg 
| nominee3 = [[Skip Humphrey]]
| running_mate3 = [[Roger Moe]]
| party3 = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| colour3 = {{party color|Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party}}
| popular_vote3 = 587,528
| percentage3 = 28.09%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|280px]] |County results |[[File:MN Governor 1998.svg|280px]] |Precinct results |default=1}}
| map_size = 270px
| map_caption = '''Ventura:''' {{legend0|#f2dffc|30–40%}} {{legend0|#dcb7ef|40–50%}} {{legend0|#c88fe4|50–60%}} {{legend0|#b368d9|60–70%}} {{legend0|#9d40cc|70–80%}} {{legend0|#7c31a2|80–90%}} {{legend0|#5c2378|>90%}}<br />'''Coleman:''' {{legend0|#ffc7c9|30–40%}} {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}<br />'''Humphrey:''' {{legend0|#BDD3FF|30–40%}} {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br />'''Other:''' {{legend0|#D9D9D9|40–50%}} {{legend0|#969696|60–70%}}<br />'''Tie:''' {{legend0|#AAE5AA|30–40%}} {{legend0|#87DE87|40–50%}} {{legend0|#5FD35F|50%}} {{legend0|#808080|No votes}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Arne Carlson]]
| before_party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| after_election = [[Jesse Ventura]]
| after_party = Reform Party (Minnesota)
| flag_image = 
}}
{{ElectionsMN}}
The '''1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election''' took place on November 3, 1998. [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] candidate [[Jesse Ventura]], the former mayor of [[Brooklyn Park, Minnesota|Brooklyn Park]] and a former [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], won office, defeating [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] mayor [[Norm Coleman]] and [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]] state attorney general [[Skip Humphrey]]. He succeeded Republican incumbent [[Arne Carlson]]. Ventura's victory as a third-party candidate was considered a historic major upset.<ref>{{cite web |last=Belluck |first=Pam |date=1998-11-05 |title=A 'Bad Boy' Wrestler's Unscripted Upset |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/05/us/the-1998-elections-the-states-the-maverick-a-bad-boy-wrestler-s-unscripted-upset.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240103165849/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/05/us/the-1998-elections-the-states-the-maverick-a-bad-boy-wrestler-s-unscripted-upset.html |archive-date=2024-01-03 |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

As of {{CURRENTYEAR}}, the election marks the only time a Reform Party candidate won a major government office. It also remains the last time a third-party candidate won any statewide election in Minnesota. Ventura's vote share of 36.99% is the lowest for a Minnesota gubernatorial election winner since [[1890 Minnesota gubernatorial election|1890]].

==DFL primary==
===Candidates===
*[[Skip Humphrey]], [[Attorney General of Minnesota]] and son of former [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Hubert Humphrey]] and former [[U.S. Senator]] [[Muriel Humphrey]] 
**Running mate: [[Roger Moe]], Minnesota Senate Majority Leader (SD2)
*[[Ted Mondale]], former State Senator (SD44) and son of former Vice President [[Walter Mondale]]
**Running mate: Deanna Winter, political reporter
*[[Michael O. Freeman|Mike Freeman]], [[Hennepin County]] Attorney and son of former Governor [[Orville Freeman]]
**Running mate: [[Ruth Johnson (Minnesota politician)|Ruth Johnson]], State Representative (HD24B) 
*[[Doug Johnson (Minnesota politician)|Doug Johnson]], State Senator (SD6) from the [[Iron Range]] and Chair of the Senate Committee on Taxation
**Running mate: Tom Foley, former [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]] Attorney and [[Washington County, Minnesota|Washington County]] Attorney
*[[Mark Dayton]], Minnesota Auditor and heir to the [[Dayton's]] fortune<ref>{{cite news |date=1998-03-09 |title=Three famous sons and heir to a fortune battle in governor's race |url=https://mndaily.com/187564/uncategorized/three-famous-sons-and-heir-fortune-battle-governors-race/ |access-date=27 August 2022 |work=Minnesota Daily |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
**Running mate: Julie Jansen, [[Olivia, Minnesota|Olivia]] day care provider and environmental activist
*Ole Savior, perennial candidate
**Running mate: Ron Moseng

===Polling===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Mark<br>Dayton
! style="width:100px;"| Mike<br>Freeman
! style="width:100px;"| Skip<br>Humphrey
! style="width:100px;"| Doug<br>Johnson
! style="width:100px;"| John<br>Marty
! style="width:100px;"| Ted<br>Mondale
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|317 (LV)
|±&nbsp;5.6%
|23%
|10%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''38%'''
|4%
|–
|10%
|15%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|326 (LV)
|±&nbsp;5.5%
|10%
|13%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''32%'''
|4%
|3%
|12%
|26%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|319 (LV)
|±&nbsp;5.6%
|7%
|9%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''35%'''
|6%
|5%
|11%
|26%
|}

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Skip Humphrey]]
| party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
| votes = 182,562		
| percentage = 36.95%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Michael O. Freeman|Mike Freeman]]
| party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
| votes = 93,714	
| percentage = 18.97%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Doug Johnson (Minnesota politician)|Doug Johnson]]
| party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
| votes =  91,888 	
| percentage = 18.60%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Mark Dayton]]
| party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
| votes = 88,070	
| percentage = 17.83%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Ted Mondale]]
| party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
| votes =  36,237 	
| percentage = 7.33%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party|candidate=Ole Savior|votes=1,598|percentage=0.32%}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 494,069
| percentage = 100.0%
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Republican primary==
===Candidates===
*[[Norm Coleman]], mayor of [[St. Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]]
**Running mate: Gen Olson, State Senator (Rep-SD34)
*[[Bill Dahn]], retired [[auto mechanic]]<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite web |title=The Minnesota Legislative Manual 1999-2000 |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2013/other/130564.pdf |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library |publisher=Secretary of State Saint Paul}}</ref>

Norm Coleman was elected mayor of St. Paul in 1993 as a Democrat with almost 55% of the vote. In 1996, he switched parties to become a Republican after years of heat from his party.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dirk |date=1996-12-20 |title=Speculation Follows St. Paul Mayor's Switch to Republicans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/20/us/speculation-follows-st-paul-mayor-s-switch-to-republicans.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912080723/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/20/us/speculation-follows-st-paul-mayor-s-switch-to-republicans.html |archive-date=2012-09-12 |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He won re-election as mayor in the heavily Democratic city with almost 59% of the vote in 1997.

===Polling===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|Key:<br>A – all adults<br>RV – registered voters<br>LV – likely voters<br>V – unclear|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson
! style="width:100px;"| Dick<br>Borrell
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman
! style="width:100px;"| Bill<br>Dahn
! style="width:100px;"| Allen<br>Quist
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll>{{cite web |title=MPR Poll: 1998 Governor Race |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199809/01_newsroom_poll/index.shtml |publisher=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241224033025/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199809/01_newsroom_poll/index.shtml |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=1 September 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|317 (LV)
|±&nbsp;5.8%
|–
|–
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''75%'''
|11%
|–
|14%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll>{{cite web |title=Minnesota Poll 1998 Governor Race |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199806/03_newsroom_governor/index.shtml |publisher=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241224061323/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199806/03_newsroom_governor/index.shtml |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=3 June 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|309 (LV)
|±&nbsp;5.7%
|20%
|2%
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''39%'''
|–
|13%
|26%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll>{{cite web |title=Minnesota Poll 1998 Governor Race |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199802/23_newsroom_governor/index.shtml |publisher=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240512020022/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199802/23_newsroom_governor/index.shtml |archive-date=12 May 2024 |date=23 February 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|319 (LV)
|±&nbsp;5.6%
|14%
|–
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''37%'''
|–
|11%
|34%
|}

===Results===
Coleman won the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nomination by winning the primary with token opposition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1998-09-16 |title=COLEMAN: AFTER AN EASY PRIMARY SEASON, GOP NOMINEE HAS TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5E32810ABE511&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020022300/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5E32810ABE511&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=2012-10-20 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |page=8A}}</ref>

{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Norm Coleman]]
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 127,957		
| percentage = 91.32%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bill Dahn
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 12,167	
| percentage = 8.68%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 140,124
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

==General election==
===Candidates===
*[[Norm Coleman]], mayor of [[St. Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] (Republican)
**Running mate: Gen Olson, State Senator (Rep-SD34)
* Thomas Fiske (Socialist Workers)
* Frank Germann (Libertarian)
*[[Hubert H. Humphrey III|Skip Humphrey]], [[Attorney General of Minnesota]] and son of former [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Hubert Humphrey]] and former [[U.S. Senator]] [[Muriel Humphrey]] (DFL)
**Running mate: [[Roger Moe]], Minnesota Senate Majority Leader (SD2)
* [[Fancy Ray|"Fancy" Ray McCloney]]  ("People's Champion")
* Ken Pentel (Green)
* [[Jesse Ventura]], former mayor of [[Brooklyn Park, Minnesota|Brooklyn Park]] and professional wrestler (Reform)
** Running mate: [[Mae Schunk]], [[Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota|Inver Grove Heights]] teacher
* Chris Wright (Grassroots)

Ventura ran unopposed in his party's primary.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2013/other/130564.pdf |title=The Minnesota Legislative Manual 1999-2000 |date=June 1999 |publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State |location=Saint Paul, Minnesota |pages=342–343}}</ref>

===Campaign===
Humphrey was seen as the initial favorite, having scored a $6 billion settlement with the tobacco industry in May of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Marc |date=November 4, 1998 |title=Jesse 'The Body' Wins Minn. Gubernatorial Race |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/ventura110498.htm |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Washington Post}}</ref> The DFL primary saw candidates mostly focusing on issues, rather than attacking Humphrey. Humphrey had lost the party's endorsement to Mike Freeman. The primary was nicknamed the "My Three Sons" campaign, owing to the political pedigree of three of the candidates, and Mark Dayton, heir to the Dayton fortune.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeter |first=Jon |date=September 17, 1998 |title=In Polite Race, Humphrey Kept Advantage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/mn091798.htm |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Washington Post}}</ref> Humphrey was endorsed by the [[Star Tribune]] in the run up to November.

Coleman started as a strong challenger to Humphrey. Coleman received the Republican endorsement over more conservative candidates [[Allen Quist]] and [[Joanne Benson]]. Coleman ran as a social conservative, opposing abortion and gay marriage. He also campaigned on using the state's budget surplus to cut taxes, as well as expanding the state's school choice program to include [[school voucher]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belluck |first=Pam |date=October 31, 1998 |title=THE 1998 CAMPAIGN: MINNESOTA; Candidates Are Neck, Neck and Neck in Governor's Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/31/us/the-1998-campaign-minnesota-candidates-are-neck-neck-and-neck-in-governor-s-race.html |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

Ventura spent around $300,000 and combined it with an aggressive [[grassroots]] campaign that featured a statewide bus tour, pioneered use of the Internet for political purposes, and aired quirky TV ads designed by [[Bill Hillsman]], who forged the phrase "Don't vote for politics as usual."<ref>{{cite web |last=Howey |first=Brian A. |title=Brian Howey: Time to Take Over the Indiana Libertarian Party |url=http://www.howeypolitics.com/2009/06/18/brian-howey-time-to-take-over-the-indiana-libertarian-party/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818140106/http://www.howeypolitics.com/2009/06/18/brian-howey-time-to-take-over-the-indiana-libertarian-party/ |archive-date=2009-08-18 |access-date= |website=Howey Politics Indiana}}</ref> Unable to afford many television ads, Ventura mainly focused on televised debates and public appearances, preaching his brand of [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] politics. His speech at a parade in rural Minnesota during the summer attracted what organizers of the annual event described as one of its largest audiences. He ran on cutting taxes, reducing state government, and reducing public school classroom sizes to a 17 to 1 ratio. He also supported a public debate on the viability of legalized prostitution.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jeter |first=Jon |date=1998-10-22 |title='The Body' Slams Into Politics |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/mn102298.htm |access-date=2024-10-07 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

===Polling===
A poll taken in June showed that Coleman would defeat any other Democratic candidate than Humphrey; Humphrey would defeat Coleman 44% to 34%. However, Ventura polled in the double digits. No other candidate in the Reform Party's brief history in Minnesota has received more than 5 percent of the votes in a statewide election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whereatt |first=Robert |date=1998-06-03 |title=Minnesota Poll: Humphrey holds lead in primary and general election races |url=http://www.startribune.com/local/11555066.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUMEaPc:E7_ec7PaP3iUeyc+D3aUUr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607062514/http://www.startribune.com/local/11555066.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUMEaPc:E7_ec7PaP3iUeyc+D3aUUr |archive-date=2011-06-07 |access-date= |website=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref> Following the primary election in September, a poll on October 20 showed Humphrey leading 35% to Coleman (34%) and Ventura (21%). But the Star Tribune poll suggested that Ventura's surge with the voters had come mostly at Humphrey's expense. Since the primary, Humphrey's support among likely voters had dropped by 14 percentage points, while Coleman's had increased by 5 percentage points.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1998-10-12 |title=NEW POLL: HUMPHREY, COLEMAN IN DEAD HEAT |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5E348CDCDBD3E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020022307/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5E348CDCDBD3E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=2012-10-20 |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |page=3B}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Skip<br>Humphrey (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Market Solutions Group<ref name=allpolitics>{{cite web |title=CNN AllPolitics Election '98 - Minnesota 1998 Polls |url=https://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/MN/polls/MN98G.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240512015118/https://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/MN/polls/MN98G.html |archive-date=12 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn-ua|name=KMSPMST|Poll sponsored by [[KMSP-TV]] & the [[Minnesota Star Tribune]]}}
|October 27–30, 1998
|1,007 (A)
|±&nbsp;3.0%
|27%
|30%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''35%'''
|8%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=octpoll2>{{cite web |title=MPR Poll: 1998 Governor & Attorney General Races |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199810/27_newsroom_poll/index.shtml |publisher=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241224013940/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199810/27_newsroom_poll/index.shtml |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=29 October 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP|Poll commissioned by [[Minnesota Public Radio]], [[KARE (TV)]] & the [[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]}}
|October 23–25, 1998
|816 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|23%
|33%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''34%'''
|10%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Market Solutions Group<ref name=allpolitics/>{{Efn-ua|name=KMSPMST}}
|October 15–18, 1998
|806 (LV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|21%
|34%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''35%'''
|10%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref>{{cite web |title=MPR Poll: 1998 Governor & Attorney General Races |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199810/14_newsroom_poll/index.shtml |publisher=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241224021545/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/199810/14_newsroom_poll/index.shtml |archive-date=24 December 2024 |url-status=live |date=14 October 1998}}</ref>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|October 10–13, 1998
|825 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|15%
|31%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''44%'''
|10%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|812 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|13%
|29%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''43%'''
|15%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|7%
|30%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''46%'''
|17%
|}
<!-- = = = don't edit the line below = = = -->
{{hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#cff|title=Hypothetical polling|contentstyle=border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;}}
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;Coleman vs. Humphrey
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Skip<br>Humphrey (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=octpoll2/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|October 23–25, 1998
|816 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''42%'''
|41%
|17%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=allpolitics/>
|October 10–13, 1998
|825 (LV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|31%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''44%'''
|25%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Minnesota Star Tribune]]<ref name=allpolitics/>
|September 16–20, 1998
|1,009 (A)
|±&nbsp;4.3%
|29%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''49%'''
|22%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=allpolitics/>
|August 28–30, 1998
|812 (LV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|29%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''43%'''
|28%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Minnesota Star Tribune]]<ref name=allpolitics/>
|July 23–28, 1998
|1,007 (LV)
|±&nbsp;3.0%
|35%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''39%'''
|26%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=allpolitics/>
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (LV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|30%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''46%'''
|24%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|827 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|33%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''39%'''
|28%
|}

;Ventura vs. Coleman vs. Dayton
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Mark<br>Dayton (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|812 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|12%
|34%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''35%'''
|19%
|}

;Ventura vs. Coleman vs. Freeman
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Mike<br>Freeman (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|812 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|12%
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''36%'''
|32%
|20%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|13%
|30%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''39%'''
|18%
|}

;Ventura vs. Coleman vs. Johnson
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Doug<br>Johnson (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|812 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|8%
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''40%'''
|25%
|27%
|}

;Ventura vs. Coleman vs. Mondale
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Ted<br>Mondale (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=augpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|August 28–30, 1998
|812 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|11%
|32%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''35%'''
|21%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|11%
|36%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''37%'''
|16%
|}

;Ventura vs. Benson vs. Freeman
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Mike<br>Freeman (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|13%
|28%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''35%'''
|24%
|}

;Ventura vs. Benson vs. Humphrey
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Skip<br>Humphrey (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|10%
|20%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''55%'''
|15%
|}

;Ventura vs. Benson vs. Mondale
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Ted<br>Mondale (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|11%
|24%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''45%'''
|20%
|}

;Ventura vs. Quist vs. Freeman
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Allen<br>Quist (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Mike<br>Freeman (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|14%
|19%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''36%'''
|31%
|}

;Ventura vs. Quist vs. Humphrey
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Allen<br>Quist (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Skip<br>Humphrey (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|12%
|17%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''56%'''
|15%
|}

;Ventura vs. Quist vs. Mondale
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Jesse<br>Ventura (Rf)
! style="width:100px;"| Allen<br>Quist (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Ted<br>Mondale (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=maypoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|May 30 – June 1, 1998
|806 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|12%
|18%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''51%'''
|19%
|}

;Coleman vs. Freeman
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Mike<br>Freeman (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|827 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''36%'''
|29%
|35%
|}

;Coleman vs. Mondale
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Norm<br>Coleman (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Ted<br>Mondale (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|827 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|{{party shading/Republican}}|'''34%'''
|33%
|33%
|}

;Benson vs. Freeman
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Mike<br>Freeman (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|827 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|27%
|30%
|{{party shading/Undecided}}|'''43%'''
|}

;Benson vs. Humphrey
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Skip<br>Humphrey (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|827 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|25%
|{{party shading/Democratic}}|'''49%'''
|26%
|}

;Benson vs. Mondale
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br>administered
! Sample<br>size{{efn|name="Key"}}
! Margin<br>of error
! style="width:100px;"| Joanne<br>Benson (R)
! style="width:100px;"| Ted<br>Mondale (D)
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Mason-Dixon<ref name=febpoll/>{{Efn-ua|name=MPRKPP}}
|February 20–22, 1998
|827 (RV)
|±&nbsp;3.5%
|26%
|'''37%'''
|'''37%'''
|}
{{hidden end}}

===Debate===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election debates
|-
! scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Host
! scope="col" | Moderator
! scope="col" | Link
! scope="col"| <small>[[Reform Party (US)|Reform]]</small>
! scope="col"| <small>[[Republican Party (US)|Republican]]</small>
! scope="col"| <small>[[Democratic Party (US)|Democratic]]</small>
|-
! colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key:<br />{{Colors|black|#90ff90|&nbsp;P&nbsp;}} <small>Participant&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD|&nbsp;A&nbsp;}} <small>Absent&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#ff9090|&nbsp;N&nbsp;}} <small>Not invited&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC|&nbsp;I&nbsp;}} <small>Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn</small>
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Reform Party (US)}}"|
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Republican Party (US)}}"|
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"|
|-
! scope="col" | [[Jesse Ventura]]
! scope="col" | [[Norm Coleman]]
! scope="col" | [[Skip Humphrey]]
|-
!1
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 1, 1998
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[League of Women Voters]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Judy Duffy
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?113033-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|-
!2
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 16, 1998
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[League of Women Voters]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Catherine Severin
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?113541-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|-
!3
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 24, 1998
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[KARE (TV)]], [[KMSP-TV]],<br />[[KSTP-TV]] & [[KTCA]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Ken Stone
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.tpt.org/minnesotas-debate-98/video/minnesotas-debate-98-28219/ Twin Cities PBS]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|-
!4
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 30, 1998
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Insight News, [[KMOJ]],<br />[[KTCA-TV]], [[Minnesota Public Radio|MPR]] & [[Star Tribune]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Karen Louise Boothe<br />Lori Sturdevant
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?114514-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|}

=== Results ===
{{align|right|{{Switcher| [[File:1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election swing map by county.svg|300px]]|Swing by county<br />{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#00a1c8|Democratic — +>30%}}|{{legend|#00bdec|Democratic — +25-30%}}|{{legend|#09ceff|Democratic — +20-25%}}|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +15-20%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +10-15%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +5-10%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0-5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0-5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +5-10%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +10-15%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +15-20%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +20-25%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +25-30%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>30%}}
}}|[[File:1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election trend map by county.svg|300px]]|Trend by county<br />{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#00a1c8|Democratic — +>30%}}|{{legend|#00bdec|Democratic — +25-30%}}|{{legend|#09ceff|Democratic — +20-25%}}|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +15-20%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +10-15%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +5-10%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0-5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0-5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +5-10%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +10-15%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +15-20%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +20-25%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +25-30%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>30%}}
}}}}}}{{Election box begin | title=1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
 |party      = Reform Party of the United States of America
 |candidate  = [[Jesse Ventura]]
 |votes      = 773,713
 |percentage = 36.99%
 |change     = ''New''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate  = [[Norm Coleman]]
 |votes      = 717,350
 |percentage = 34.29%
 |change     = -29.04%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate  = [[Skip Humphrey]]
 |votes      = 587,528
 |percentage = 28.09%
 |change     = -6.02%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Green Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Ken Pentel
 |votes      = 7,034
 |percentage = 0.34%
 |change     = ''n/a''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Libertarian Party (US)
 |candidate  = Frank Germann
 |votes      = 1,932
 |percentage = 0.09%
 |change     = -0.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Grassroots Party
 |candidate  = [[Chris Wright (activist)|Chris Wright]]
 |votes      = 1,727
 |percentage = 0.08%
 |change     = -1.12%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
 |party      = People's Champion
 |candidate  = [[Fancy Ray McCloney]]
 |votes      = 919
 |percentage = 0.04%
 |change     = ''n/a''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Socialist Workers Party (US)
 |candidate  = Thomas Fiske
 |votes      = 787
 |percentage = 0.04%
 |change     = -0.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
 |party      = 
 |candidate  = Write-ins
 |votes      = 776
 |percentage = 
 |change     = ''n/a''
}}
{{Election box majority|
 |votes      = 56,363
 |percentage = 2.69%
 |change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout|
 |votes      = 2,091,766
 |percentage = 60%
 |change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
  |winner     = Reform Party (Minnesota)
  |loser      = Republican Party (United States)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Results breakdown===
By county:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official General Election Vote Totals by County for the Office of Governor |url=http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/vote_for_gov._1998.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127160810/http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/vote_for_gov._1998.pdf |archive-date=2008-11-27 |access-date= |website=Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State}}</ref>

{|width="60%" class="wikitable sortable"
! width="11%" | County
! width="10%" | Coleman
! width="10%" | Votes
! width="10%" | Humphrey
! width="10%" | Votes
! width="10%" | Ventura
! width="10%" | Votes
! width="10%" | Others
! width="10%" | Votes
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Aitkin County, Minnesota|Aitkin]]
|align="center"|  31.6%
|align="center"| ''2,447''
|align="center"|   30.3%
|align="center"| ''2,347''
|align="center"| '''37.4%'''
|align="center"| '''2,897'''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''47''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Anoka County, Minnesota|Anoka]]
|align="center"| 29.3%
|align="center"|''37,111''
|align="center"| 19.7%
|align="center"|''24,975''
|align="center"|'''50.7%'''
|align="center"|'''64,100'''
|align="center"|  0.3%
|align="center"| ''363''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Becker County, Minnesota|Becker]]
|align="center"|'''41.4%'''
|align="center"|'''5,030'''
|align="center"|  35.7%
|align="center"|''4,349''
|align="center"|  22.4%
|align="center"|''2,721''
|align="center"|  0.5%
|align="center"| ''62''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Beltrami County, Minnesota|Beltrami]]
|align="center"|'''39.8%'''
|align="center"|'''5,872'''
|align="center"|  35.9%
|align="center"|''5,289''
|align="center"|  23.0%
|align="center"|''3,387''
|align="center"|   1.3%
|align="center"| ''195''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Benton County, Minnesota|Benton]]
|align="center"|  33.2%
|align="center"|''4,388''
|align="center"|  20.8%
|align="center"|''2,750''
|align="center"|'''45.6%'''
|align="center"|'''6,027'''
|align="center"|  0.4%
|align="center"| ''47''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Big Stone County, Minnesota|Big Stone]]
|align="center"|   31.9%
|align="center"| ''912''
|align="center"| '''40.0%'''
|align="center"| '''1,144'''
|align="center"|   27.5%
|align="center"| ''786''
|align="center"|  0.5%
|align="center"| ''15''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Blue Earth County, Minnesota|Blue Earth]]
|align="center"|   30.9%
|align="center"| ''7,031''
|align="center"|   24.9%
|align="center"| ''5,666''
|align="center"| '''43.8%'''
|align="center"| '''9,973'''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''111''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Brown County, Minnesota|Brown]]
|align="center"| '''45.2%'''
|align="center"| '''5,150'''
|align="center"|    21.2%
|align="center"| ''2,417''
|align="center"|   33.3%
|align="center"| ''3,794''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''44''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton]]
|align="center"|   31.0%
|align="center"| ''3,929''
|align="center"| '''42.9%'''
|align="center"| '''5,439'''
|align="center"|    25.5%
|align="center"| ''3,226''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''70''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver]]
|align="center"|   39.9%
|align="center"| ''11,479''
|align="center"|   16.1%
|align="center"| ''4,621''
|align="center"| '''43.8%'''
|align="center"| '''12,606'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''88''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass]]
|align="center"| '''42.0%'''
|align="center"| '''4,781'''
|align="center"|    28.9%
|align="center"| ''3,288''
|align="center"|   28.7%
|align="center"| ''3,268''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''55''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Chippewa County, Minnesota|Chippewa]]
|align="center"|   28.3%
|align="center"| ''1,721''
|align="center"|   34.0%
|align="center"| ''2,064''
|align="center"| '''37.4%'''
|align="center"| '''2,271'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''19''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Chisago County, Minnesota|Chisago]]
|align="center"|   28.0%
|align="center"| ''5,376''
|align="center"|   18.9%
|align="center"| ''3,621''
|align="center"| '''52.8%'''
|align="center"| '''10,138'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''71''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Clay County, Minnesota|Clay]]
|align="center"|   34.7%
|align="center"| ''6,200''
|align="center"| '''43.5%'''
|align="center"| '''7,766'''
|align="center"|   21.8%
|align="center"| ''3,797''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''91''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Clearwater County, Minnesota|Clearwater]]
|align="center"| '''44.8%'''
|align="center"| '''1,439'''
|align="center"|   35.0%
|align="center"| ''1,124''
|align="center"|   19.5%
|align="center"| ''625''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''24''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Cook County, Minnesota|Cook]]
|align="center"|    38.6%
|align="center"| ''1,010''
|align="center"| '''39.6%'''
|align="center"| '''1,046'''
|align="center"|   18.0%
|align="center"| ''474''
|align="center"|   3.8%
|align="center"| ''100''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Cottonwood County, Minnesota|Cottonwood]]
|align="center"| '''39.6%'''
|align="center"| '''2,420'''
|align="center"|   30.8%
|align="center"| ''1,884''
|align="center"|   29.2%
|align="center"| ''1,788''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''29''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing]]
|align="center"| '''39.7%'''
|align="center"| '''9,559'''
|align="center"|   26.0%
|align="center"| ''6,257''
|align="center"|   33.9%
|align="center"| ''8,162''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''104''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota]]
|align="center"|   37.3%
|align="center"| ''56,242''
|align="center"|   22.0%
|align="center"| ''33,253''
|align="center"| '''40.4%'''
|align="center"| '''60,909'''
|align="center"|    0.3%
|align="center"| ''484''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge]]
|align="center"|   37.4%
|align="center"| ''2,619''
|align="center"|   21.2%
|align="center"| ''1,484''
|align="center"| '''41.0%'''
|align="center"| '''2,867'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''27''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Douglas County, Minnesota|Douglas]]
|align="center"| '''42.1%'''
|align="center"| '''6,323'''
|align="center"|   23.3%
|align="center"| ''3,503''
|align="center"|   34.3%
|align="center"| ''5,162''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''41''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Faribault County, Minnesota|Faribault]]
|align="center"|   34.2%
|align="center"| ''2,778''
|align="center"|   29.3%
|align="center"| ''2,382''
|align="center"| '''36.0%'''
|align="center"| '''2,923'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''34''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]]
|align="center"| '''39.7%'''
|align="center"| '''3,359'''
|align="center"|   33.4%
|align="center"| ''2,823''
|align="center"|   26.2%
|align="center"| ''2,219''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''56''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Freeborn County, Minnesota|Freeborn]]
|align="center"| '''39.5%'''
|align="center"| '''5,463'''
|align="center"|   33.3%
|align="center"| ''4,605''
|align="center"|   26.9%
|align="center"| ''3,706''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''65''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue]]
|align="center"|   33.9%
|align="center"| ''6,786''
|align="center"|   22.7%
|align="center"| ''4,547''
|align="center"| '''43.0%'''
|align="center"| '''8,610'''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''92''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant]]
|align="center"|   30.6%
|align="center"| ''1,055''
|align="center"|    31.6%
|align="center"| ''1,089''
|align="center"| '''37.5%'''
|align="center"| '''1,294'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''10''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]]
|align="center"|   31.9%
|align="center"| ''155,311''
|align="center"|    30.2%
|align="center"| ''147,059''
|align="center"| '''36.9%'''
|align="center"| '''179,954'''
|align="center"|    1.0%
|align="center"| ''4,778''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Houston County, Minnesota|Houston]]
|align="center"| '''48.8%'''
|align="center"| '''3,616'''
|align="center"|   37.7%
|align="center"| ''2,797''
|align="center"|  12.0%
|align="center"| ''891''
|align="center"|   1.5%
|align="center"| ''111''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Hubbard County, Minnesota|Hubbard]]
|align="center"| '''42.6%'''
|align="center"| '''3,697'''
|align="center"|   30.1%
|align="center"| ''2,609''
|align="center"|   26.7%
|align="center"| ''2,317''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''57''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Isanti County, Minnesota|Isanti]]
|align="center"|   27.3%
|align="center"| ''3,719''
|align="center"|   19.6%
|align="center"| ''2,665''
|align="center"| '''52.9%'''
|align="center"| '''7,209'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''36''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Itasca County, Minnesota|Itasca]]
|align="center"|   37.8%
|align="center"| ''7,181''
|align="center"| '''41.6%'''
|align="center"| '''7,911'''
|align="center"|   19.8%
|align="center"| ''3,768''
|align="center"|   0.8%
|align="center"| ''143''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Jackson County, Minnesota|Jackson]]
|align="center"| '''34.9%'''
|align="center"| '''1,796'''
|align="center"|   33.5%
|align="center"| ''1,728''
|align="center"|   31.1%
|align="center"| ''1,605''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''24''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Kanabec County, Minnesota|Kanabec]]
|align="center"|   29.0%
|align="center"| ''1,895''
|align="center"|   21.1%
|align="center"| ''1,374''
|align="center"| '''49.6%'''
|align="center"| '''3,238'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''17''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Kandiyohi County, Minnesota|Kandiyohi]]
|align="center"|   34.5%
|align="center"| ''6,287''
|align="center"|   29.3%
|align="center"| ''5,337''
|align="center"| '''35.9%'''
|align="center"| '''6,530'''
|align="center"|   0.2%
|align="center"| ''45''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Kittson County, Minnesota|Kittson]]
|align="center"|   32.2%
|align="center"| ''757''
|align="center"| '''50.3%'''
|align="center"| '''1,185'''
|align="center"|   16.5%
|align="center"| ''389''
|align="center"|   1.0%
|align="center"| ''23''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Koochiching County, Minnesota|Koochiching]]
|align="center"| '''46.4%'''
|align="center"| '''2,721'''
|align="center"|   34.9%
|align="center"| ''2,347''
|align="center"|   18.1%
|align="center"| ''1,064''
|align="center"|   0.56%
|align="center"| ''31''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota|Lac Qui]]
|align="center"|   27.6%
|align="center"| ''1,133''
|align="center"| '''39.5%'''
|align="center"| '''1,621'''
|align="center"|   32.4%
|align="center"| ''1,330''
|align="center"|    0.4%
|align="center"| ''16''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Lake County, Minnesota|Lake]]
|align="center"|   30.1%
|align="center"| ''1,766''
|align="center"| '''42.2%'''
|align="center"| '''2,472'''
|align="center"|    26.4%
|align="center"| ''1,545''
|align="center"|   1.3%
|align="center"| ''75''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota|LOTW]]
|align="center"|   41.5%
|align="center"| ''837''
|align="center"| '''42.2%'''
|align="center"| '''852'''
|align="center"|   14.3%
|align="center"| ''288''
|align="center"|   2.1%
|align="center"| ''41''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]]
|align="center"|   30.4%
|align="center"| ''3,582''
|align="center"|   22.2%
|align="center"| ''2,614''
|align="center"| '''47.1%'''
|align="center"| '''5,551'''
|align="center"|    0.3%
|align="center"| ''35''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Lincoln County, Minnesota|Lincoln]]
|align="center"|   36.4%
|align="center"| ''1,129''
|align="center"| '''36.7%'''
|align="center"| '''1,136'''
|align="center"|   26.3%
|align="center"| ''815''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''18''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Lyon County, Minnesota|Lyon]]
|align="center"| '''39.1%'''
|align="center"| '''4,043'''
|align="center"|   28.7%
|align="center"| ''2,966''
|align="center"|  31.7%
|align="center"| ''3,277''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''66''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[McLeod County, Minnesota|McLeod]]
|align="center"|   30.9%
|align="center"| ''4,754''
|align="center"|   15.9%
|align="center"| ''2,449''
|align="center"| '''52.8%'''
|align="center"| '''8,126'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''50''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Mahnomen County, Minnesota|Mahnomen]]
|align="center"| '''41.8%'''
|align="center"| '''821'''
|align="center"|   36.5%
|align="center"| ''716''
|align="center"|   20.7%
|align="center"| ''406''
|align="center"|   1.1%
|align="center"| ''21''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Marshall County, Minnesota|Marshall]]
|align="center"|   40.5%
|align="center"| ''1,959''
|align="center"| '''41.5%'''
|align="center"| '''2,008'''
|align="center"|   17.2%
|align="center"| ''834''
|align="center"|   0.8%
|align="center"| ''38''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Martin County, Minnesota|Martin]]
|align="center"| '''38.8%'''
|align="center"| '''3,676'''
|align="center"|   26.7%
|align="center"| ''2,534''
|align="center"|   34.2%
|align="center"| ''3,243''
|align="center"|   0.2%
|align="center"| ''23''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Meeker County, Minnesota|Meeker]]
|align="center"|   31.3%
|align="center"| ''3,320''
|align="center"|   19.7%
|align="center"| ''2,083''
|align="center"| '''48.6%'''
|align="center"| '''5,153'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''39''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Mille Lacs]]
|align="center"|   31.0%
|align="center"| ''2,898''
|align="center"|   21.4%
|align="center"| ''1,998''
|align="center"| '''47.2%'''
|align="center"| '''4,404'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''39''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Morrison County, Minnesota|Morrison]]
|align="center"| '''40.6%'''
|align="center"| '''5,377'''
|align="center"|   21.9%
|align="center"| ''2,899''
|align="center"|   37.0%
|align="center"| ''4,905''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''78''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower]]
|align="center"|   34.9%
|align="center"| ''5,529''
|align="center"| '''39.3%'''
|align="center"| '''6,234'''
|align="center"|   25.2%
|align="center"| ''3,990''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''111''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Murray County, Minnesota|Murray]]
|align="center"| '''38.7%'''
|align="center"| '''1,819'''
|align="center"|    34.5%
|align="center"| ''1,620''
|align="center"|   26.2%
|align="center"| ''1,233''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''30''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Nicollet County, Minnesota|Nicollet]]
|align="center"|   33.2%
|align="center"| ''4,345''
|align="center"|   25.9%
|align="center"| ''3,384''
|align="center"| '''40.3%'''
|align="center"| '''5,272'''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''78''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Nobles County, Minnesota|Nobles]]
|align="center"| '''39.0%'''
|align="center"| '''3,265'''
|align="center"|   31.8%
|align="center"| ''2,664''
|align="center"|   28.7%
|align="center"| ''2,404''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''34''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Norman County, Minnesota|Norman]]
|align="center"|    31.4%
|align="center"| ''1,024''
|align="center"| '''49.7%'''
|align="center"| '''1,621'''
|align="center"|   18.3%
|align="center"| ''596''
|align="center"|  0.6%
|align="center"| ''19''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted]]
|align="center"| '''42.7%'''
|align="center"| '''19,480'''
|align="center"|   26.8%
|align="center"| ''12,205''
|align="center"|   30.1%
|align="center"| ''13,710''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''199''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail]]
|align="center"| '''45.0%'''
|align="center"| '''10,785'''
|align="center"|   29.1%
|align="center"| ''6,982''
|align="center"|   25.3%
|align="center"| ''6,069''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''116''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Pennington County, Minnesota|Pennington]]
|align="center"|   38.8%
|align="center"| ''2,226''
|align="center"| '''39.3%'''
|align="center"| '''2,253'''
|align="center"|    21.4%
|align="center"| ''1,226''
|align="center"|    0.6%
|align="center"| ''35''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Pine County, Minnesota|Pine]]
|align="center"|   26.9%
|align="center"| ''2,869''
|align="center"|   25.6%
|align="center"| ''2,730''
|align="center"| '''47.1%'''
|align="center"| '''5,027'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''48''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Pipestone County, Minnesota|Pipestone]]
|align="center"| '''46.8%'''
|align="center"| '''2,127'''
|align="center"|   35.7%
|align="center"| ''1,621''
|align="center"|   16.6%
|align="center"| ''752''
|align="center"|   0.9%
|align="center"| ''43''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Polk County, Minnesota|Polk]]
|align="center"|   40.7%
|align="center"|   2,347
|align="center"| '''43.5%'''
|align="center"| '''4,462'''
|align="center"|   15.5%
|align="center"| ''1,699''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''44''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Pope County, Minnesota|Pope]]
|align="center"|   33.6%
|align="center"| ''1,954''
|align="center"|   32.9%
|align="center"| ''1,738''
|align="center"| '''36.1%'''
|align="center"| '''2,099'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''17''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey]]
|align="center"|    32.4%
|align="center"| ''69,240''
|align="center"|    32.1%
|align="center"| ''68,619''
|align="center"| '''34.6%'''
|align="center"| '''73,993'''
|align="center"|   0.8%
|align="center"| ''1,714''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[Red Lake County, Minnesota|Red Lake]]
|align="center"|   39.6%
|align="center"| ''842''
|align="center"| '''43.3%'''
|align="center"| '''920'''
|align="center"|   16.0%
|align="center"| ''339''
|align="center"|   1.1%
|align="center"| ''24''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Redwood County, Minnesota|Redwood]]
|align="center"| '''42.8%'''
|align="center"| '''3,140'''
|align="center"|   22.5%
|align="center"| ''1,654''
|align="center"|   34.5%
|align="center"| ''2,533''
|align="center"|   0.2%
|align="center"| ''17''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Renville County, Minnesota|Renville]]
|align="center"|    30.7%
|align="center"| ''2,514''
|align="center"|   25.4%
|align="center"| ''2,079''
|align="center"| '''43.7%'''
|align="center"| '''3,583'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''24''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]]
|align="center"|   29.7%
|align="center"| ''6,732''
|align="center"|   28.5%
|align="center"| ''6,518''
|align="center"| '''41.3%'''
|align="center"| '''9,444'''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''170''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Rock County, Minnesota|Rock]]
|align="center"| '''47.7%'''
|align="center"| '''1,832'''
|align="center"|   36.1%
|align="center"| ''1,384''
|align="center"|   15.5%
|align="center"| ''596''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''25''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Roseau County, Minnesota|Roseau]]
|align="center"| '''49.8%'''
|align="center"| '''2,975'''
|align="center"|   31.2%
|align="center"| ''1,863''
|align="center"|   18.1%
|align="center"| ''1,081''
|align="center"|   1.0%
|align="center"| ''57''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}}|[[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis]]
|align="center"|   28.1%
|align="center"| ''24,439''
|align="center"| '''47.3%'''
|align="center"| '''41,208'''
|align="center"|    23.8%
|align="center"| ''20,682''
|align="center"|   0.8%
|align="center"| ''17''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Scott County, Minnesota|Scott]]
|align="center"|   34.9%
|align="center"| ''12,075''
|align="center"|   16.7%
|align="center"| ''5,787''
|align="center"| '''48.1%'''
|align="center"| '''16,612'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''97''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne]]
|align="center"|   32.1%
|align="center"| ''8,139''
|align="center"|   16.4%
|align="center"| ''4,163''
|align="center"| '''51.2%'''
|align="center"| '''13,004'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''73''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Sibley County, Minnesota|Sibley]]
|align="center"|   32.1%
|align="center"| ''2,261''
|align="center"|    17.9%
|align="center"| ''1,262''
|align="center"| '''49.7%'''
|align="center"| '''3,497'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''24''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns]]
|align="center"|   38.5%
|align="center"| ''20,731''
|align="center"|   21.7%
|align="center"| ''11,696''
|align="center"| '''39.2%'''
|align="center"| '''21,116'''
|align="center"|   0.6%
|align="center"| ''320''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele]]
|align="center"|    38.5%
|align="center"| ''5,399''
|align="center"|   21.6%
|align="center"| ''3,022''
|align="center"| '''39.7%'''
|align="center"| '''5,559'''
|align="center"|    0.3%
|align="center"| ''37''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Stevens County, Minnesota|Stevens]]
|align="center"| '''40.7%'''
|align="center"| '''2,052'''
|align="center"|   29.9%
|align="center"| ''1,507''
|align="center"|   28.9%
|align="center"| ''1,455''
|align="center"|    0.5%
|align="center"| ''25''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Swift County, Minnesota|Swift]]
|align="center"|   26.7%
|align="center"| ''1,410''
|align="center"|   35.1%
|align="center"| ''1,852''
|align="center"| '''38.0%'''
|align="center"| '''2,006'''
|align="center"|   0.2%
|align="center"| ''11''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Todd County, Minnesota|Todd]]
|align="center"| '''39.3%'''
|align="center"| '''4,293'''
|align="center"|   22.4%
|align="center"| ''2,426''
|align="center"|   37.9%
|align="center"| ''4,146''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''60''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Traverse County, Minnesota|Traverse]]
|align="center"| '''34.2%'''
|align="center"| '''733'''
|align="center"|   33.7%
|align="center"|   721
|align="center"|   31.5%
|align="center"| ''674''
|align="center"|   0.7%
|align="center"| ''14''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha]]
|align="center"|   35.8%
|align="center"| ''3,363''
|align="center"|   23.6%
|align="center"| ''2,221''
|align="center"| '''40.2%'''
|align="center"| '''3,776'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''41''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Wadena County, Minnesota|Wadena]]
|align="center"| '''43.1%'''
|align="center"| '''2,563'''
|align="center"|   25.9%
|align="center"| ''1,537''
|align="center"|   30.3%
|align="center"| ''1,782''
|align="center"|   1.1%
|align="center"| ''63''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Waseca County, Minnesota|Waseca]]
|align="center"|   35.8%
|align="center"| ''3,064''
|align="center"|   22.3%
|align="center"| ''1,904''
|align="center"| '''41.4%'''
|align="center"| '''3,543'''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''42''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Washington County, Minnesota|Washington]]
|align="center"|   35.8%
|align="center"| ''32,565''
|align="center"|   22.2%
|align="center"| ''20,205''
|align="center"| '''41.7%'''
|align="center"| '''37,910'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''300''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Watonwan County, Minnesota|Watonwan]]
|align="center"|   33.4%
|align="center"| ''1,711''
|align="center"|   27.9%
|align="center"| ''1,429''
|align="center"| '''38.3%'''
|align="center"| '''1,965'''
|align="center"|   0.4%
|align="center"| ''19''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Wilkin County, Minnesota|Wilkin]]
|align="center"| '''43.2%'''
|align="center"| '''1,181'''
|align="center"|   32.6%
|align="center"| ''892''
|align="center"|   23.4%
|align="center"| ''639''
|align="center"|   0.8%
|align="center"| ''22''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona]]
|align="center"| '''42.9%'''
|align="center"| '''7,856'''
|align="center"|   33.7%
|align="center"| ''6,176''
|align="center"|   22.1%
|align="center"| ''4,039''
|align="center"|   1.3%
|align="center"| ''235''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright]]
|align="center"|   32.1%
|align="center"| ''11,957''
|align="center"|   16.2%
|align="center"| ''6,027''
|align="center"| '''51.4%'''
|align="center"| '''19,124'''
|align="center"|   0.3%
|align="center"| ''106''
|-
|align="center" {{party shading/Reform}}|[[Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota|Yellow Medicine]]
|align="center"|   29.8%
|align="center"| ''1,628''
|align="center"|    33.7%
|align="center"| ''1,838''
|align="center"| '''36.0%'''
|align="center"| '''1,966'''
|align="center"|   0.5%
|align="center"| ''25''
|-
|align="center"| Totals
|align="center"| '''34.29%'''
|align="center"| ''717,350''
|align="center"| '''28.09%'''
|align="center"| ''587,528''
|align="center"| '''36.99%'''
|align="center"| ''773,713''
|align="center"| '''0.63%'''
|align="center"| ''13,175''
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
'''Partisan clients'''<br />
{{notelist-ua}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite web |title=Constitutional Offices and Constitutional Amendments Official Results |url=http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/genstate1998.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214042007/http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/genstate1998.pdf |archive-date=2006-12-14}}
*{{Cite web |date=2015-05-27 |title=That Time Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura Was Elected Governor Of Minnesota |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/that-time-jesse-the-body-ventura-was-elected-governor-of-minnesota/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]]}}

{{Minnesota elections}}
{{United States elections, 1998}}
{{US Third Party Election}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Minnesota Gubernatorial Election, 1998}}
[[Category:1998 Minnesota elections|Gubernatorial]]
[[Category:Minnesota gubernatorial elections|1998]]
[[Category:1998 United States gubernatorial elections]]
[[Category:Jesse Ventura]]