2008 Election Cycle

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden led the DFL to its ninth consecutive win in Minnesota.

The real drama took place down the ballot in which a recount and election contest in the U.S. Senate race led to more than a six-month vacancy in the state’s Class II seat. DFL comedian Al Franken was eventually declared the winner over one-term incumbent Norm Coleman by just 312 votes.

No U.S. House seats changed partisan control this cycle with the DFL retaining a five to three seat advantage.

The DFL netted two seats and started the new legislature with an overwhelming majority of 87-47.

Associate Justice Paul Anderson and appointed Associate Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea each won election to a full term.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/04/2008 State House, District 66A General John Lesch (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 9,001 votes (76.77%) and a winning margin of +54.04
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Lesch Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 9,001 76.77
Gilbert A. Higuera Man Republican 2,665 22.73
Scattering Write-In 59 0.50
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11/04/2008 State House, District 65B General Carlos Mariani (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 12,810 votes (75.15%) and a winning margin of +50.69
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Carlos Mariani Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 12,810 75.15
Lisa M. Murphy Woman Republican 4,169 24.46
Scattering Write-In 67 0.39

Rematch.

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11/04/2008 State House, District 65A General Cy Thao (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 9,226 votes (79.62%) and a winning margin of +59.79
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Cy Thao Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 9,226 79.62
Paul Holmgren Man Republican 2,297 19.82
Scattering Write-In 65 0.56

Rematch.

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11/04/2008 State House, District 64B General Michael Paymar (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 16,143 votes (71.85%) and a winning margin of +43.88
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Michael Paymar Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 16,143 71.85
Emory K. Dively Man Republican 6,284 27.97
Scattering Write-In 41 0.18

Rematch.

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11/04/2008 State House, District 18B General Dean Urdahl (Republican) won with 11,813 votes (58.65%) and a winning margin of +17.46
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Dean Urdahl Incumbent Man Republican 11,813 58.65
David G. Detert Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 8,296 41.19
Scattering Write-In 31 0.15

Rematch.

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