Treasurer State Executive Office

Elections: 1857-1998. Elections for Treasurer were held for two-year terms in odd-numbered years beginning in 1857. A constitutional amendment was passed in 1883 requiring state elections to be held in even-numbered years beginning in 1886 with the winner for Treasurer in 1883 serving a three-year term. From 1886 through 1960, the term for Treasurer remained two years - increasing to four years in 1962. The office of Treasurer was abolished on January 6, 2003 after the passage of a constitutional amendment in November 1998. Primaries for Treasurer were first held in September 1912. There were never term limits for this office.

Most recent elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/03/1998 Treasurer General Carol Johnson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 887,025 votes (45.39%) and a winning margin of +4.88
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Carol Johnson Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 887,025 45.39
Kevin Knight Man Republican 791,723 40.52
James (Jim) Dunlop Man Reform 235,109 12.03
Mitchell Berg Man Libertarian 37,855 1.94
Scattering Write-In 2,354 0.12

This was the last election for Treasurer in Minnesota history. The office was abolished effective January 6, 2003 as per the passage of a 1998 constitutional amendment. The DFL won the last seven elections to the office since 1974.

Johnson was a resident of Inver Grove Heights, chief aide to Treasurer Michael McGrath, and former Bloomington City Council member.

Knight was a resident of Bloomington, sitting state Representative (HD 40B, 1994-1999), and cofounder of Citizens for Fiscal Responsibitliy.

Dunlop was a resident of St. Paul, fundraiser for Clear Water Action, former deputy state treasurer (1983-1987), former information officer in the state Auditor's office, DFL candidate for Auditor in 1986, and DFL candidate for Treasurer in 1994.

Berg was a resident of St. Paul and computer software design consultant.

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09/15/1998 Treasurer Primary James (Jim) Dunlop (Reform) won with 13,925 votes (100.00%) and a winning margin of +100.00
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
James (Jim) Dunlop Man Reform 13,925 100.00

Dunlop was a resident of St. Paul, fundraiser for Clear Water Action, former deputy state treasurer (1983-1987), former information officer in the state Auditor's office, DFL candidate for Auditor in 1986, and DFL candidate for Treasurer in 1994.

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09/15/1998 Treasurer Primary Carol Johnson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 137,149 votes (34.06%) and a winning margin of +7.78
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Carol Johnson Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 137,149 34.06
Robert R. (Bob) Johnson Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 105,831 26.28
Betsy O'Berry Woman Democratic-Farmer-Labor 100,242 24.90
John Franzen Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 59,434 14.76

Johnson was a resident of Inver Grove Heights, chief aide to Treasurer Michael McGrath, and former Bloomington City Council member.

Johnson was a resident of Milaca, owner and operator of a dairy farm, math instructor, and candidate for Treasurer in 1990 and 1994.

O'Berry was a resident of Ramsey, accounting and chief financial officer of a hardware manufacturing and sales company, nominee for HD 50B in 1996 and HD 48B in 2002, and party-endorsed candidate.

Franzen was a retired barber from Oakdale, former Oakdale City Council member (1976-1979), and former Washington County Recorder (1979-1994).

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09/15/1998 Treasurer Primary Kevin Knight (Republican) won with 59,071 votes (47.27%) and a winning margin of +19.05
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Kevin Knight Man Republican 59,071 47.27
Joan Siers Woman Republican 35,272 28.23
Jual C. Carlson Man Republican 18,052 14.45
David A.P. Anderson Man Republican 12,557 10.05

Knight was a resident of Bloomington, sitting state Representative (HD 40B, 1994-1999), and cofounder of Citizens for Fiscal Responsibitliy.

Siers was a resident of North St. Paul, supervisor for U.S. West Communications, and candidate for Treasurer in 1994.

Carlson was a resident of Karlstad, worker in the audo parts industry, and a perennial candidate.

Anderson was a retail manager from Rosemount.

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11/08/1994 Treasurer General Michael McGrath (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) won with 779,658 votes (46.83%) and a winning margin of +1.23
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Michael McGrath Incumbent Man Democratic-Farmer-Labor 779,658 46.83
James C. Olson Man Independent-Republican 759,255 45.61
Colleen Bonniwell Woman Grassroots 84,486 5.08
Scattering Write-In 41,312 2.48

Treasurer McGrath was reelected to a third term.

Olson was a resident of White Bear Lake and president of Midwest Markings.

Bonniwell was a homemaker from Cass Lake and Grassroots nominee for Treasurer in 1990. She was nominated by petition.

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