2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota

The 2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Minnesota, concurrently with the election of the Governor of Minnesota, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota
November 4, 2014 (2014-11-04)
 
Nominee Al Franken Mike McFadden
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 1,053,205 850,227
Percentage 53.2% 42.9%
County results
Franken:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
McFadden:      40–50%      50–60%
U.S. senator before election

Al Franken
Democratic (DFL)

 Elected U.S. Senator

Al Franken
Democratic (DFL)

Elections in Minnesota

Incumbent Democratic–Farmer–Labor Senator Al Franken ran for re-election to a second term. Primary elections were held on August 12, 2014, in which Franken was renominated and the Republicans picked financial executive Mike McFadden. In the general election, Franken defeated him and Independence Party nominee Steve Carlson and Heather Johnson of the Libertarian Party with 53% of the vote.

Background

Franken challenged incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman in 2008. When the initial count was completed on November 18, Franken was trailing Coleman by 215 votes.[1][2] This close margin triggered a mandatory recount.[3][4] After reviewing ballots that had been challenged during the recount and counting 953 wrongly rejected absentee ballots, the State Canvassing Board officially certified the recount results with Franken holding a 225-vote lead.[5][6]

On January 6, 2009, Coleman's campaign filed an election contest and on April 13, a three-judge panel dismissed Coleman's Notice of Contest and ruled that Franken had won the election by 312 votes.[7] Coleman's appeal of the panel's decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court was unanimously rejected on June 30,[8] and he conceded the election.[9] Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator on July 7, 2009.[10]

Because Franken's margin of victory was so slim, the seat was initially thought to be a top target for Republicans, but Politico reported in a May 2013 article that Franken's high approval rating, his large war chest, and the Republicans' struggle to find a top-tier candidate meant that Franken was the "heavy favorite" in the 2014 election.[11]

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

Results
Democratic primary election results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Al Franken (incumbent) 182,720 94.5%
Democratic (DFL) Sandra Henningsgard 10,627 5.5%
Total votes 193,347 100.0%

Republican primary

At the Republican State Convention on May 30–31, 2014, after ten ballots, Mike McFadden received the party's endorsement. Chris Dahlberg, Monti Moreno, Julianne Ortman and Phillip Parrish had all sought the endorsement but withdrew in favor of McFadden. Only Jim Abeler continued in the race and contested the August primary against McFadden.[15][16] David Carlson did not participate in the Convention after a dispute with party leadership over nominating petitions.[17] He, Patrick D. Munro and Ole Savior also appeared on the ballot.

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements
Mike McFadden
Julianne Ortman

Polling
Poll
source		 Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Jim
Abeler		 David
Carlson		 Chris
Dahlberg		 David
Latvaaho		 Mike
McFadden		 Monti
Moreno		 Julianne
Ortman		 Phillip
Parrish		 Harold
Shudlick		 Other Undecided
PPP October 27–29, 2013 305 ±5.7% 12% — 10% — 11% 2% 12% — — — 53%
TPC February 28–March 1, 2014 400 ±4.9% 8% — 4% — 8% 1% 16% 0% 1% — 52%
Suffolk April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 7.58% 1.01% 1.52% 0.51% 11.62% 0% 14.14% 0.51% — — 63.14%
SurveyUSA June 5–9, 2014 404 ± 5% 16% — — — 44% — — — — 19% 21%

Results
Republican primary election results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike McFadden (endorsed) 129,601 71.74%
Republican Jim Abeler 26,714 14.79%
Republican David Carlson 16,449 9.10%
Republican Patrick Munro 5,058 2.80%
Republican Ole Savior 2,840 1.57%
Total votes 180,662 100.00%

Independence primary

The Independence Party of Minnesota state convention was held on May 17, 2014 at Minnesota State University, Mankato.[43] Businessman Kevin Terrell won the party's endorsement, but lost the primary to Steve Carlson. Carlson did not ask for an endorsement from the Independence Party and self-identifies with the Tea party.[44] For their part, the Independence Party has disowned Carlson, who has defended Todd Akin's controversial "legitimate rape" comments and said that George Zimmerman "provided a valuable service" by killing Trayvon Martin.[45]

Candidates

Declared
  • Jack Shepard, dentist, convicted felon, fugitive and perennial candidate[46]
  • Kevin Terrell, business consultant[47]

Withdrew

Results
Independence primary election results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independence Steve Carlson 2,148 33.91%
Independence Kevin Terrell (endorsed) 1,376 21.72%
Independence Jack Shepard 1,130 17.83%
Independence Stephen Williams 862 13.60%
Independence Tom Books 820 12.94%
Total votes 6,336 100.00%

Libertarian convention

The Libertarian Party of Minnesota state convention was held on April 26, 2014 in Maple Grove.[50]

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Debates

Predictions
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[52] Likely D November 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball[53] Likely D November 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report[54] Likely D November 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics[55] Likely D November 3, 2014

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Al
Franken (DFL)		 Mike
McFadden (R)		 Steve
Carlson (IP)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 51% 36% — — 13%
Public Policy Polling October 27–29, 2013 895 ± 3.3% 49% 38% — — 13%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 50% 40% — — 11%
Suffolk University April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 44% 28.63% — 7.01% 20.38%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV June 5–9, 2014 1,017 ± 3.1% 48% 42% — 5%[56] 5%
Public Policy Polling June 12–15, 2014 633 ± 3.9% 49% 38% — — 13%
Gravis Marketing July 2–3, 2014 879 ± 3% 51% 35% 13% — —
CBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 3,185 ± 2% 53% 40% — 2% 4%
Rasmussen Reports August 13–14, 2014 750 ± 4% 50% 42% — 2% 6%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV August 19–21, 2014 600 ± 4.1% 51% 42% 2% 2% 3%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18 – September 2, 2014 3,607 ± 2% 49% 41% — 1% 9%
Mason-Dixon/Star Tribune September 8–10, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 49% 36% 3% 1% 11%
Rasmussen Reports September 29–30, 2014 750 ± 4% 49% 41% — 3% 6%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 2,562 ± 2% 49% 42% — 0% 8%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV September 30 – October 2, 2014 577 ± 4.2% 55% 37% 3% 2%[57] 3%
Public Opinion Strategies October 5–7, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 46% 39% — 15%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV October 14–16, 2014 597 ± 4.1% 53% 38% 3% 3%[58] 3%
Mason-Dixon/Star Tribune October 20–22, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 48% 39% 3% 1% 9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 2,430 ± 3% 51% 41% — 1% 7%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV October 27–30, 2014 596 ± 4.1% 51% 40% 4% 3%[58] 3%

Results
United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2014[60]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic (DFL) Al Franken (incumbent) 1,053,205 53.15% +11.16%
Republican Mike McFadden 850,227 42.91% +0.93%
Independence Steve Carlson 47,530 2.40% -12.75%
Libertarian Heather Johnson 29,685 1.50% +1.02%
Write-in 881 0.04% -0.04%
Total votes 1,981,528 100.00% N/A
Democratic (DFL) hold
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See also

References
  1. "State of Minnesota Canvassing Report". Minnesota Secretary of State. November 18, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  2. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. and Dave Orrick (November 19, 2008). "Recount begins in U.S. Senate race; Ritchie hit with 'blizzard' of filings". Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  3. Lopez, Patricia and Kevin Duchschere (November 5, 2008). "Senate race 100% counted: Coleman up; recount coming". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  4. Duchschere, Kevin and Larry Oakes (November 22, 2008). "Day 4: Ballot-counters press on, find glitches". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  5. "Minnesota canvassing board certifies Franken win". CNN Political Ticker. January 5, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  6. Stern, Christopher (January 5, 2009). "Democrat Franken Wins Minnesota Recount, Coleman Vows Challenge". Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  7. Doyle, Pat (April 14, 2009). "Judges rule Franken winner; Coleman to appeal". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  8. Bakst, Brian (June 30, 2009). "Minn. Court Rules for Franken in Senate Fight". Associated Press. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  9. Raju, Manu and Josh Kraushaar (June 30, 2009). "Norm Coleman concedes Minnesota Senate race to Al Franken". Politico. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  10. Fiore, Faye (July 8, 2009). "Al Franken sworn in, with a straight face". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  11. Hohmann, James (May 26, 2013). "Al Franken goes from top target to heavy favorite for Minnesota Senate". Politico. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  12. Mitchell, Corey (November 3, 2012). "Franken a player in Democrats' plan to keep Senate". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  13. "Candidate Filings". Minnesota Secretary of State. June 3, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  14. "Statewide Results for U.S. Senator, Primary Election". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  15. "Minnesota GOP: McFadden endorsed for Senate on 10th ballot". St. Paul Pioneer Press. May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  16. "Dahlberg and McFadden still battling for Minnesota GOP endorsement; Ortman forced to exit Rochester fight". MinnPost. May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  17. "Nomination Dispute Triggers Carlson to Pull Out of GOP Convention". PoliticsMN. May 26, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  18. Pugmire, Tim and Tom Scheck (June 18, 2013). "State Rep. Abeler running for US Senate". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  19. "Franken's Republican foes' debate centers on defense". MPR News. April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  20. "Minnesota GOP: McFadden endorsed for Senate on 10th ballot". twincities.com. May 30, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  21. Henry, Devin (May 29, 2013). "Businessman Mike McFadden to challenge Al Franken". MinnPost. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  22. Sommerhauser, Mark (June 2, 2014). "McFadden wins GOP's US Senate endorsement". Sctimes.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  23. "St. Louis County commissioner announces run for U.S. Senate". Duluth News Tribune. August 20, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  24. Zdechlik, Mark (September 12, 2013). "Monti Moreno enters Senate race, without musket". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  25. "GOP state senator Ortman to announce plans for US Senate race at weekend event". Star Tribune. July 31, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  26. "Dahlberg and McFadden still battling for Minnesota GOP endorsement; Ortman forced to exit Rochester fight". minnpost.com. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  27. Carlson, Heather J. (January 17, 2014). "GOP Senate candidates face-off in tea party forum". Post-Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  28. Brodkorb, Michael (February 18, 2014). "The Buzz: Campaigns are Buzzing with Activity". politics.mn. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  29. Blake, Aaron (May 29, 2013). "Businessman Mike McFadden to challenge Sen. Al Franken". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  30. Joseph, Cameron; Hooper, Molly K. (November 17, 2012). "Republicans look to oust Franken". The Hill. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  31. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (January 9, 2013). "Norm Coleman rules out Senate run, leaves door open to a gubernatorial run". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  32. Diaz, Kevin (December 21, 2012). "Cravaack prepares to leave Minnesota, politics behind". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  33. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (December 8, 2012). "Minnesota Republicans hold a 'pick-up-the-pieces' gathering". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  34. Riese, Clint (July 10, 2013). "Hegseth to sit out 2014 election". Forest Lake Times. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  35. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (April 19, 2013). "Kline to seek re-election, not Senate or governor's office". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  36. Henry, Devin (June 18, 2013). "Radio host Jason Lewis will not run for office next year". MinnPost. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  37. Diaz, Kevin (May 13, 2013). "U.S. Rep. Paulsen rules out run for Minnesota governor or U.S. Senate". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  38. Joseph, Cameron (August 2, 2013). "Ex-Sens. Coleman, Grams endorse McFadden in Minnesota". The Hill. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  39. "Julianne Ortman Endorsed By Citizens United Political Victory Fund In Minnesota's U.S. Senate Republican Primary". www.cupvf.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  40. http://link.ixs1.net/s/ve?ei=e4712837&si=9535287698&cfc=3html
  41. "Conservative Campaign Committee". www.conservativecampaign.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  42. "Press Release: MN Gun Owners PAC endorses Julianne Ortman for United States Senate - Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee". mngopac.org. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  43. "Events". Independence Party of Minnesota. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  44. "Tea Party Steve Carlson defeats IP endorsed candidate, nominated for Minnesota's U.S. Senator". stevecarlsonforcongress2010.com. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  45. Tom Scheck (August 15, 2014). "Independence Party disowns its Senate candidate". Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  46. "Fugitive dentist Jack Shepard just wants to come home… and hold Al Franken's seat in Congress". TwinCities.com. May 16, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  47. Cassie Hart (May 18, 2014). "Independence Party Endorses Candidates for Statewide Races". KSTP-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  48. Scheck, Tom (February 6, 2014). "Ron Paul backer announces Minn. Senate bid as Independence Party candidate". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  49. Cox, Peter (May 18, 2014). "Full Independence Party slate set for November elections". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  50. "2014 LPMN State Convention". Libertarian Party of Minnesota. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  51. "Five statewide candidates up for nomination at LPMN Convention". Libertarian Party of Minnesota. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  52. "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  53. "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  54. "2014 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  55. "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  56. Kevin Terrell (IP) 4%, Other 1%
  57. Heather Johnson (L) 1%, Other 1%
  58. Heather Johnson (L) 2%, Other 1%
  59. Kevin Terrell (IP) 6%, Other 2%
  60. "Statewide Results for U.S. Senator". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
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