1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

November 4, 1986

Nominee Rudy Perpich Cal Ludeman Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican Running mate Marlene Johnson Dennis W. Schulstad Popular vote 790,138 606,755 Percentage 56.1% 43.1%

County results Perpich:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Ludeman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL) Elected Governor Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL)

The 1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Rudy Perpich defeated Independent-Republican Party challenger Cal Ludeman. George Latimer unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.

Democrats would not win another gubernatorial election in the state until 2010.

DFL primary

Candidates

• William T. Heine, St. Paul resident and perennial candidate
  • Running mate: Dale Johnson, St. Paul resident
• George Latimer, mayor of St. Paul since 1976
  • Running mate: Arvonne Fraser, co-founder of the Women's Equity Action League and wife of Minneapolis mayor Don Fraser
• Andrew L. Olson, Heron Lake farmer and supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
  • Running mate: Linda Herschbach, Mendota Heights resident
• Rudy Perpich, incumbent Governor since 1983
  • Running mate: Marlene Johnson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor since 1983
• Phil Ratté, Columbia Heights resident and perennial candidate
  • Running mate: Kim Kimmel, Magnolia resident

Results

1986 DFL gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Rudy Perpich (incumbent)	293,426	57.48%
	Democratic (DFL)	George Latimer	207,198	40.59%
	Democratic (DFL)	Andrew L. Olson	4,448	0.87%
	Democratic (DFL)	William T. Heine	3,204	0.63%
	Democratic (DFL)	Phil Ratté	2,219	0.43%
Total votes			510,495	100.00%

Independent-Republican primary

Candidates

• Wallace Brattrud, retired Waseca businessman and Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative in 1982 and 1984
  • Running mate: Lavinia Olson, Minneapolis resident
• James Lindau, mayor of Bloomington since 1977
  • Running mate: M. Joan Parent, retired veterinarian from Foley
• Cal Ludeman, farmer and former state representative from Tracy
  • Running mate: Denny Schulstad, member of the Minneapolis City Council and retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General
• Beatrice Mooney, Lake St. Croix Beach registered nurse
  • Running mate: Ione Gerads, Cottage Grove resident
• Doug Williams, Chaska resident
  • Running mate: Steve Williams, Shakopee resident

The Mooney-Gerads ticket was the first all-woman gubernatorial ticket to run for a major party nomination in Minnesota history.

Results

1986 DFL gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Ind.-Republican	Cal Ludeman	147,674	76.85%
	Ind.-Republican	James Lindau	30,768	16.01%
	Ind.-Republican	Douglas J. Williams	5,431	2.83%
	Ind.-Republican	Wallace C. Brattrud	4,598	2.39%
	Ind.-Republican	Beatrice Mooney	3,682	1.92%
Total votes			192,153	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• W. Z. "Bill" Brust, former Trotskyist university professor from West St. Paul (Workers League)
  • Running mate: Cory Johnson, Minneapolis resident
• Tom Jaax, St. Paul knitting machine operator (Socialist Workers)
  • Running mate: August Nimtz, Minneapolis university professor
• Cal Ludeman, farmer and former state representative from Tracy (Independent-Republican)
  • Running mate: Denny Schulstad, member of the Minneapolis City Council
• Rudy Perpich, incumbent Governor since 1983 (DFL)
  • Running mate: Marlene Johnson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor since 1983
• Joseph A. Rohner III, Wayzata resident (Libertarian)
  • Running mate: Edwin Mudge, Minneapolis resident
• Mark Rosen, Twin Cities WCCO sportscaster (write-in)

Results

1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Rudy Perpich (incumbent)	790,138	56.11%	−2.64%
	Ind.-Republican	Cal Ludeman	606,755	43.09%	+3.23%
	Workers League	W. Z. Brust	4,208	0.30%	n/a
	Libertarian	Joseph A. Rohner III	3,852	0.27%	−0.08%
	Socialist Workers	Tom Jaax	3,151	0.22%	n/a
Majority			183,383	13.02%
Turnout			1,408,104
	Democratic (DFL) hold		Swing