1972 Election Cycle

Republican President Richard Nixon carried Minnesota by 5.5 points in what was the most narrowly decided presidential election across the country.

The DFL did pick up a seat on the Public Service Commission when former Governor Karl Rolvaag unseated P.K. Peterson. Following the 1972 election, seats on the Public Service Commission were filled via gubernatorial appointment.

U.S. Senator Walter Mondale emerged unscathed by the Nixon landslide with a double-digit win en route to a third term in the chamber.

All eight members of the U.S. House delegation – four Republicans and four DFLers – won reelection this cycle.

Associate Justices C. Donald Peterson and Fallon Kelly were each reelected to the Supreme Court without opposition.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/07/1972 State House, District 67B General John Tomlinson (Nonpartisan) won with 6,870 votes (59.44%) and a winning margin of +18.88
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Tomlinson Man Nonpartisan 6,870 59.44
Howard C. (Howie) Kinney Man Nonpartisan 4,688 40.56
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11/07/1972 State House, District 67A General Robert L. (Bob) Pavlak (Nonpartisan) won with 7,106 votes (63.75%) and a winning margin of +27.50
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Robert L. (Bob) Pavlak Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,106 63.75
Steve Anderson Man Nonpartisan 4,041 36.25
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11/07/1972 State House, District 66B General Tony L. Bennett (Nonpartisan) won with 7,045 votes (56.14%) and a winning margin of +12.27
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Tony L. Bennett Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,045 56.14
Bruce Lindahl Man Nonpartisan 5,505 43.86

Lindahl was a science and mathematics teacher from St. Paul and former state Representative (HD 48, 1965-1967; HD 44B, 1967-1971).

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11/07/1972 State House, District 66A General Bruce F. Vento (Nonpartisan) won with 6,857 votes (65.06%) and a winning margin of +30.11
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Bruce F. Vento Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 6,857 65.06
John (Jack) G. Kight Man Nonpartisan 3,683 34.94
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11/07/1972 State House, District 08A General Jack H. LaVoy (Nonpartisan) won with 7,070 votes (62.81%) and a winning margin of +25.62
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Jack H. LaVoy Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,070 62.81
David M. Crotty Man Nonpartisan 4,186 37.19
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