The 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, in the midst of that year's Republican Revolution. Incumbent Republican Arne Carlson easily won re-election over Democrat–Farmer–Labor state senator John Marty.
To date, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Hennepin and Ramsey counties voted for the Republican candidate.
This was the first time since 1950 that an incumbent Republican governor of Minnesota won re-election. It is also the most recent statewide election in which a Republican won a majority of the vote.
Republican Party
While incumbent Arne Carlson was popular in the state, he was not popular with rank-and-file Republicans, who viewed his victory in 1990 as an accident, as he was chosen as a replacement nominee shortly before the general election. Carlson, who was pro-choice and in favor of extending civil rights to homosexuals, was seen as too moderate by delegates to the GOP state convention, who ultimately chose former state representative Allen Quist, a staunch conservative, as their nominee. Ultimately, though, Carlson easily defeated Quist in the state primary, putting himself on the ballot for November.
Candidates
- Arne Carlson, incumbent governor since 1991
- Running mate: Joanne Benson, state senator from St. Cloud
- Allen Quist, St. Peter farmer and former state representative
- Running mate: Doug McFarland, Hamline University law professor
Democratic Party
At the DFL convention, Marty received the party endorsement, beating back a strong challenge by three opponents, one of whom Mike Freeman, son of a popular former governor withdrew, but Marty still faced a strong challenge from former Minneapolis Chief of Police Tony Bouza. Bouza faded, however, when it was revealed that he supported severe restrictions on handguns. Marty ultimately won a narrow victory in the primary over former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch, who lost his second consecutive gubernatorial primary.
Candidates
- Tony Bouza, former Minneapolis chief of police and director of the Minnesota Gaming Commission
- Running mate: Kim Stokes, Britt resident
- Mike Hatch, former commissioner of commerce and candidate for governor in 1990
- Running mate: Robert Schmitz, farmer and former state senator from Jordan
- John Marty, state senator from Roseville
- Running mate: Nancy Larson, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities
- Richard T. Van Bergen, Buffalo resident and LaRouche movement supporter
- Running mate: Glenn Mesaros, Minneapolis resident and perennial candidate
Withdrew
- Michael O. Freeman, Hennepin County attorney and son of former Governor Orville Freeman (withdrew after DFL Convention)
General election
Campaign
The 1994 election nationwide was noted for a GOP wave of election victories. In Minnesota, that wave was not as evident, as half of the statewide elections went for each party. The GOP won the governorship, U.S. senator, and state auditor positions, and the DFL won the state attorney general, secretary of state, and state treasurer positions. Additionally, the Minnesota State House remained in DFL control by a 72–64 margin. The results of the gubernatorial general election were Arne Carlson 1,094,165, John Marty 589,344, Will Shetterly 20,785, Jon Hillson 3,022, Eric Arthur Olson 15,467, Leslie Davis 4,611.
Candidates
- Arne Carlson, incumbent governor since 1991 (Independent-Republican)
- Running mate: Joanne Benson, state senator
- Leslie Davis, Minneapolis environmental activist and perennial candidate (Nutritional Rights)
- Running mate: Phil Ratté, perennial candidate
- Jon Hillson, St. Paul railroad switchman (Socialist Workers)
- Running mate: Leah Finger
- John Marty, state senator from Roseville (Democratic–Farmer–Labor)
- Running mate: Nancy Larson, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities
- Eric Olson, Minneapolis insurance agent (Libertarian)
- Running mate: Michael Strand, Minneapolis resident
- Will Shetterly, Minneapolis fantasy and comic book writer (Grassroots)
- Running mate: Tim Davis, Minneapolis forklift operator and candidate for state representative in 1990
Results
Results by county
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Anoka
- Aitkin
- Becker
- Beltrami
- Big Stone
- Benton
- Cook
- Clay
- Clearwater
- Grant
- Isanti
- Houston
- Itasca
- Jackson
- Kanabec
- Kittson
- Koochiching
- Kandiyohi
- Lac qui Parle
- Lake of the Woods
- Le Sueur
- Marshall
- Mahnomen
- Mille Lacs
- Morrison
- Mower
- Murray
- Norman
- Pennington
- Nobles
- Polk
- Pine
- Pipestone
- Pope
- Red Lake
- Roseau
- Sherburne
- Stearns
- Stevens
- Swift
- Todd
- Traverse
- Wright
- Wilkin