The 2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Minnesota, State of Minnesota, concurrently with 2014 Minnesota gubernatorial election, the election of the Governor of Minnesota, as well as 2014 United States Senate elections, other elections to the United States Senate in other states and 2014 United States House of Representatives elections, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various 2014 United States elections#State elections, state and 2014 United States elections#Local elections, local elections. Incumbent Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, Democratic–Farmer–Labor Senator Al Franken ran for re-election to a second term. Primary elections were held on August 12, 2014, in which Franken was renominated and the Republican Party of Minnesota, Republicans picked financial executive Mike McFadden. In the general election, Franken defeated him and Independence Party of Minnesota, Independence Party nominee Steve Carlson and Heather Johnson of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, Libertarian Party with 53% of the vote.

Background

Franken challenged incumbent Republican Party of Minnesota, Republican Senator Norm Coleman in United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008, 2008. When the initial count was completed on November 18, Franken was trailing Coleman by 215 votes. This close margin triggered a mandatory recount. After reviewing ballots that had been challenged during the recount and counting 953 wrongly rejected absentee ballots, the Elections in Minnesota#Minnesota State Canvassing Board, State Canvassing Board officially certified the recount results with Franken holding a 225-vote lead. On January 6, 2009, Coleman's campaign filed an election contest and on April 13, a three-judge panel dismissed Coleman's Notice of Contest and ruled that Franken had won the election by 312 votes. Coleman's appeal of the panel's decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court was unanimously rejected on June 30, and he conceded the election. Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's junior senator on July 7, 2009. Because Franken's margin of victory was so slim, the seat was initially thought to be a top target for Republicans, but ''Politico'' reported in a May 2013 article that Franken's high approval rating, his large war chest, and the Republicans' struggle to find a top-tier candidate meant that Franken was the "heavy favorite" in the 2014 election.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

* Al Franken, incumbent U.S. Senator * Sandra Henningsgard

Results

Republican primary

At the Republican State Convention on May 30–31, 2014, after ten ballots, Mike McFadden received the party's endorsement. Chris Dahlberg, Monti Moreno, Julianne Ortman and Phillip Parrish had all sought the endorsement but withdrew in favor of McFadden. Only Jim Abeler continued in the race and contested the August primary against McFadden. David Carlson did not participate in the convention after a dispute with party leadership over nominating petitions. He, Patrick D. Munro and Ole Savior also appeared on the ballot.

Candidates

Declared

* Jim Abeler, state representative * David Carlson, veteran and candidate for the U.S. Senate United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2012, in 2012 * Mike McFadden, financial executive * Patrick D. Munro * Ole Savior, perennial candidate

Withdrew

* Chris Dahlberg, St. Louis County, Minnesota, St. Louis County County commission, commissioner * Monti Moreno, bison farmer, former hair salon owner and candidate for the U.S. Senate United States Senate election in Minnesota, 1996, in 1996 * Julianne Ortman, state senator * Phillip Parrish, United States Navy Reserve, U.S. Navy reservist * Harold Shudlick, retired Chaplain Corps (United States Army), U.S. Army chaplain and candidate for the U.S. Senate in United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2006, 2006 and United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2012, 2012

Declined

* Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative * Laura Brod, former state representative * Norm Coleman, former U.S. Senator * Chip Cravaack, former U.S. Representative * Bill Guidera, finance chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota * Pete Hegseth, CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, former executive director of Vets For Freedom and candidate for the U.S. Senate United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2012, in 2012 * John Kline (politician), John Kline, U.S. Representative * Jason Lewis (congressman), Jason Lewis, radio talk show host and political commentator * Erik Paulsen, U.S. Representative * Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota * Rich Stanek, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Hennepin County Sheriff

Endorsements

Polling

;Republican primary

Results

Independence primary

The Independence Party of Minnesota state convention was held on May 17, 2014, at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Businessman Kevin Terrell won the party's endorsement, but lost the primary to Steve Carlson. Carlson did not ask for an endorsement from the Independence Party and self-identifies with the Tea Party movement, Tea party. For their part, the Independence Party has disowned Carlson, who has defended Todd Akin's controversial Rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections, "legitimate rape" comments and said that George Zimmerman "provided a valuable service" by Killing of Trayvon Martin, killing Trayvon Martin.

Candidates

Declared

* Jack Shepard, dentist, convicted felon, fugitive and perennial candidate * Kevin Terrell, business consultant

Withdrew

* Hannah Nicollet (2014 Minnesota gubernatorial election, running for governor)

Results

Libertarian convention

The Libertarian Party of Minnesota state convention was held on April 26, 2014, in Maple Grove.

Candidates

Nominee

* Heather Johnson

General election

Debates

Complete video of debate
October 1, 2014
Complete video of debate
October 26, 2014

Background

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements

Polling

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Results

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Debates

Predictions

Polling

Results

See also

References

External links