2010 Election Cycle

The 2010 cycle was one of the most unusual in Minnesota history with the DFL sweeping all five constitutional offices and Republicans decisively taking back control of both state legislative chambers.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton and running mate and state Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon ended a five-cycle DFL gubernatorial losing streak – one of the longest Democratic droughts for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor in the nation. Their victory over state Representative Tom Emmer and running mate Annette Meeks was the second closest gubernatorial race in Minnesota history at 0.42 points. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Auditor Rebecca Otto, and Attorney General Lori Swanson were reelected to complete the DFL sweep.

But Republicans scored a major upset in the 8th CD when Chip Cravaack unseated Transportation Committee Chair Jim Oberstar – the longest serving member of congress in Minnesota history at 36 years. The remaining seven incumbents were reelected leaving each party with four seats in the 112th Congress.

The GOP also gained 16 seats in the state Senate to take control of the chamber with a 37-30 seat margin and netted 25 seats in the state House to flip the chamber with a 72-62 margin.

Associate Justices Alan Page, Helen Meyer, and Christopher Dietzen were each elected to full terms.