2014 Election Cycle

For the first time in party history, the DFL swept all constitutional offices for two consecutive cycles. Governor Mark Dayton (and new running mate Tina Smith), Auditor Rebecca Otto, and Attorney General Lori Swanson were reelected while state Representative Steve Simon held Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s open seat.

DFL U.S. Senator Al Franken defeated Sunfish Lake investment banker Mike McFadden by double digits.

There was no partisan turnover in the eight congressional districts with all seven incumbents winning reelection and former Republican state Representative Tom Emmer taking over Michele Bachmann’s open seat. The DFL maintained a 5-3 majority in the state delegation.

For the third consecutive cycle, the majority party could not retain power of the state House. Republicans netted 11 seats to gain a 72-62 advantage at the convening of the next legislature in 2015.

Appointed Associate Supreme Court Justices David Lillehaug and Wilhelmina Wright were elected to another term.