2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota

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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.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...
2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota

 2008 November 4, 2014 (2014-11-04) 2018
(special)
 
 
Nominee Al Franken Mike McFadden
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 1,053,205 850,227
Percentage 53.15% 42.91%

Franken:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
McFadden:      30–40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
Tie:      40-50%      50%      No votes

U.S. senator before election

Al Franken
Democratic (DFL)

Elected U.S. Senator

Al Franken
Democratic (DFL)

Close

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. As of 2025, this is the last time that a male candidate won a U.S. Senate election in Minnesota. This is also the last time that the winner of Minnesota's Class 2 Senate seat won a majority of Minnesota's counties.

Background

Summarize
Perspective

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

More information Party, Candidate ...
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%
Close

Republican primary

Summarize
Perspective

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

  • Jim Abeler, state representative[18]
  • David Carlson, veteran and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012[19]
  • Mike McFadden, financial executive[20][21]
  • Patrick D. Munro[13]
  • Ole Savior, perennial candidate[13]

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements

Mike McFadden
Julianne Ortman

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
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[44] October 27–29, 2013 305 ±5.7% 12% 10% 11% 2% 12% 53%
TPC[45] February 28–March 1, 2014 400 ±4.9% 8% 4% 8% 1% 16% 0% 1% 52%
Suffolk[46] April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 8% 1% 2% 1% 12% 0% 14% 1% 63%
SurveyUSA[47] June 5–9, 2014 404 ± 5% 16% 44% 19% 21%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Michele
Bachmann
Laura
Brod
Chip
Cravaack
John
Kline
Erik
Paulsen
Rich
Stanek
Other/
Undecided
Public Policy Polling[48] January 18–20, 2013 275 ± 5.9% 45% 4% 13% 19% 11% 2% 6%
Close
Hypothetical polling

Republican primary

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
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%
Close

Independence primary

The Independence Party of Minnesota state convention was held on May 17, 2014, at Minnesota State University, Mankato.[49] 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.[50] 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.[51]

Candidates

Declared

  • Jack Shepard, dentist, convicted felon, fugitive and perennial candidate[52]
  • Kevin Terrell, business consultant[53]

Withdrew

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
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%
Close

Libertarian convention

The Libertarian Party of Minnesota state convention was held on April 26, 2014, in Maple Grove.[56]

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Summarize
Perspective

Debates

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[58] Likely D November 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball[59] Likely D November 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report[60] Likely D November 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics[61] Likely D November 3, 2014
Close

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Mike
McFadden (R)
Steve
Carlson (IP)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[62] May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 51% 36% 13%
Public Policy Polling[63] October 27–29, 2013 895 ± 3.3% 49% 38% 13%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV[64] February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 50% 40% 11%
Suffolk University[65] April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 44% 29% 7% 20%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV[66] June 5–9, 2014 1,017 ± 3.1% 48% 42% 5%[67] 5%
Public Policy Polling[68] June 12–15, 2014 633 ± 3.9% 49% 38% 13%
Gravis Marketing[69] July 2–3, 2014 879 ± 3% 51% 35% 13%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[70] July 5–24, 2014 3,185 ± 2% 53% 40% 2% 4%
Rasmussen Reports[71] August 13–14, 2014 750 ± 4% 50% 42% 2% 6%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV[72] August 19–21, 2014 600 ± 4.1% 51% 42% 2% 2% 3%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[73] August 18 – September 2, 2014 3,607 ± 2% 49% 41% 1% 9%
Mason-Dixon/Star Tribune[74] September 8–10, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 49% 36% 3% 1% 11%
Rasmussen Reports[71] September 29–30, 2014 750 ± 4% 49% 41% 3% 6%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[75] September 20 – October 1, 2014 2,562 ± 2% 49% 42% 0% 8%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV[76] September 30 – October 2, 2014 577 ± 4.2% 55% 37% 3% 2%[77] 3%
Public Opinion Strategies[78] October 5–7, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 46% 39% 15%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV[79] October 14–16, 2014 597 ± 4.1% 53% 38% 3% 3%[80] 3%
Mason-Dixon/Star Tribune[81] October 20–22, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 48% 39% 3% 1% 9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[75] October 16–23, 2014 2,430 ± 3% 51% 41% 1% 7%
SurveyUSA/KSTP-TV[82] October 27–30, 2014 596 ± 4.1% 51% 40% 4% 3%[80] 3%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Jim
Abeler (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[63] October 27–29, 2013 895 ± 3.3% 50% 39% 11%
SurveyUSA[83] February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 49% 37% 14%
Suffolk[84] April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 45% 29% 8% 19%
SurveyUSA[47] June 5–9, 2014 1,017 ± 3.1% 48% 39% 8%[85] 5%
Public Policy Polling[68] June 12–15, 2014 633 ± 3.9% 50% 39% 11%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Michele
Bachmann (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[86] January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ± 2.8% 54% 39% 7%
Public Policy Polling[87] May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ± 3.1% 57% 35% 8%
Public Policy Polling[88] September 10–11, 2012 824 ± 3.4% 52% 40% 7%
Public Policy Polling[89] October 5–8, 2012 937 ± 3.2% 55% 37% 8%
Public Policy Polling[48] January 18–20, 2013 1,065 ± 3% 54% 40% 7%
Public Policy Polling[62] May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 55% 38% 7%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
David
Carlson (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[68] June 12–15, 2014 633 ± 3.9% 49% 38% 13%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Norm
Coleman (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[87] May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ± 3.1% 51% 41% 8%
Public Policy Polling[88] September 10–11, 2012 824 ± 3.4% 50% 43% 6%
Public Policy Polling[89] October 5–8, 2012 937 ± 3.2% 51% 41% 8%
Public Policy Polling[48] January 18–20, 2013 1,065 ± 3% 50% 44% 7%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Chris
Dahlberg (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[63] October 27–29, 2013 895 ± 3.3% 49% 39% 12%
SurveyUSA[83] February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 49% 41% 10%
Suffolk[90] April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 45% 28% 8% 20%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
John
Kline (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[48] January 18–20, 2013 1,065 ± 3% 49% 41% 11%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Jason
Lewis (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[62] May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 54% 37% 9%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Monti
Moreno (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[63] October 27–29, 2013 895 ± 3.3% 49% 36% 15%
SurveyUSA[83] February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 50% 36% 15%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Patrick
Munro (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[68] June 12–15, 2014 633 ± 3.9% 50% 35% 15%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Julianne
Ortman (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[62] May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 52% 35% 14%
Public Policy Polling[63] October 27–29, 2013 895 ± 3.3% 49% 37% 14%
SurveyUSA[83] February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 49% 41% 10%
Suffolk[91] April 24–28, 2014 800 ± ? 44% 29% 7% 20%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Erik
Paulsen (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[48] January 18–20, 2013 1,065 ± 3% 50% 39% 11%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Tim
Pawlenty (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[86] January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ± 2.8% 49% 43% 8%
Public Policy Polling[87] May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ± 3.1% 52% 41% 7%
Public Policy Polling[88] September 10–11, 2012 824 ± 3.4% 50% 43% 7%
Public Policy Polling[89] October 5–8, 2012 937 ± 3.2% 51% 42% 7%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Julie
Rosen (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[62] May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 52% 36% 12%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Ole
Savior (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[68] June 12–15, 2014 633 ± 3.9% 50% 33% 17%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Harold
Shudlick (R)
Other Undecided
SurveyUSA[83] February 25–27, 2014 545 ± 4.3% 50% 36% 14%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Al
Franken (DFL)
Rich
Stanek (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[62] May 17–19, 2013 712 ± 3.7% 51% 36% 13%
Close
Hypothetical polling

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2014[92]
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
Close

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

By congressional district

Franken won 6 of 8 congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.[93]

More information District, Franken ...
District Franken McFadden Representative
1st 49% 45% Tim Walz
2nd 49% 48% John Kline
3rd 48.5% 48.7% Erik Paulsen
4th 61% 35% Betty McCollum
5th 74% 23% Keith Ellison
6th 42% 54% Tom Emmer
7th 48% 47% Collin Peterson
8th 54% 42% Rick Nolan
Close

See also

References

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