| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
County results King: 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Lyons: 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% Delaney: 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Elections in Minnesota |
---|
The 1934 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on November 6, 1934, to elect the state auditor of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Incumbent Republican Stafford King won re-election to a second term. King was challenged by Farmer-Labor candidate John Lyons and Democratic candidate Patrick Delaney. [1]
As of 2022 [update] , this election is the closest for Minnesota State Auditor ever. [2]
Incumbent Republican State Auditor Stafford King was considered "certain" to be the party's nominee for the role again. [3] King was endorsed by the Minnesota Republican Party in April, and was the only Republican candidate to file for the race. [4]
Of the three parties which nominated candidates in the auditor's race, only the Democratic Party had a primary, which was held on June 18. [5]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Patrick J. Delaney, Jr. | 114,842 | 52.80 | |
Democratic | Theodore Zimmerman | 102,660 | 47.20 | |
Total votes | 217,502 | 100.00 |
State Representative Harold Atwood of Winona was reportedly the early favorite of Farmer-Labor leadership to take on Stafford King. [8] Farmer-Labor Governor Floyd Olson reportedly preferred former-Republican and Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Charles Munn. [9]
John T. Lyons of Le Center originally sought the endorsement of the Farmer-Labor Party for the lieutenant governorship but settled to run for the auditor's office after the party endorsed Hjalmar Peterson for Lieutenant Governor. [10] After winning the party's endorsement at its March convention, Lyons filed officially to run on May 4. [11]
Both Republican and Democratic leaders considered the Farmer-Labor Party to be a fundamental threat to private ownership in the state. The 1934 Republican platform explicitly called the Farmer-Labor "Marxian" and called for the combination of the Democratic and Republican tickets to defeat Farmer-Laborism:
Two great parties in the United States, the Republican and the Democratic, now furnish the vehicles for expression of the people's will. They have differed in matters of policy upon economic and other similar questions but they have never differed in their devotion to American institutions, American ideals, the liberty of the individual, and support of our constitutions, state and federal, and when these are threatened, patriotic citizens of all parties can and should join hands against the common menace.
Not since the Civil War have the citizens of Minnesota been brought face to face with a more serious situation than confronts us today. Our system of state government has been challenged by a far-reaching philosophy of life which means the entire subordination of the rights of the individual to a socialized and Sovietized dictatorship, involves the ownership of the home, the farm, and of the small business, threatens our school system, seeks to impose collectivism upon all our industries, and would result in the enslavement of labor.
At a time like this, we should and do call upon men and women of whatever party to stand together. Let us not ask: What is this or that candidate's past political affiliation, but is he for Sovietism or Americanism?
— Republican Party of Minnesota [4]
Thus began one of the defining dynamics of the general election: the calls for a "Fusion" ballot and the suspension of Democrat Patrick Delaney's campaign.
Shortly after the June 18 state primary, Democratic and Republican leaders continued discussing the formation of a combined ticket to battle the increasing strength of Farmer-Laborites. Such a move would have involved either the Democratic or Republican nominee for each statewide office dropping out of the race and endorsing their non-Farmer-Labor opponent. Democratic gubernatorial nominee John E. Regan, while rejecting the idea that he should personally drop out, nonetheless promoted the idea that Minnesotans should fight Farmer-Laborism and "the threats of communism" by uniting "efforts of all parties working for the common [anti-Farmer-Labor] cause." [14]
The most common version of the "Fusion" proposal called for Democratic nominees to drop out in races with a Republican incumbent (such as the auditor's race) and for Republicans to drop out when facing a Farmer-Labor incumbent. If this plan were agreed to, then, Democratic State Auditor candidate Patrick Delaney would drop out from the race and endorse the Republican candidate and incumbent Stafford King. Initially, Delaney expressed openness to this plan if it were adopted by all interested parties. [14]
In the run-up to the state Democratic convention, prospects for a combined ticket fizzled. Democratic leaders, wishing a workable deal with Republicans would emerge, reportedly felt that the predominant collaboration proposal was too rosy for Republicans. In the latest version of the proposal, Republican nominees would drop out of the top two races for Governor and U.S. Senator and Democratic nominees would drop out of all other seven statewide races, a split which Democratic leadership thought was unnecessarily slanted. Further, Republican leaders were less-than-enthused about the prospect of giving up the two most prominent offices in the state. Delaney cooled to the plan and denounced rumors that he planned to drop from the race and endorse King. [15]
The state Democratic convention was held on July 17 in St. Cloud. Despite support within the party for the "Fusion" plan, Democratic leaders were successful in suppressing calls to suspend statewide campaigning. [15] Oliver T. Skellet, a former Democratic candidate for governor who did not win the primary, opened discussion at the convention about the possibility of forwarding the "Fusion" proposal. However, clever procedural maneuvering by the convention's chair prevented the debate from truly getting started. Still, it was understood that support within the party ranks for "Fusion" was strong enough that it would not fade yet as a political issue. [16]
In late July, Hugh Kennedy, the Democratic nominee for Secretary of State, offered publicly to drop from the race and back the Republican candidate Mike Holm. He also suggested that Delaney drop out and endorse King in exchange for Republicans dropping out and endorsing the Democratic candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. Delaney responded immediately, clarifying that he was going to be on the November ballot and was not thinking of dropping out and announcing the opening of a campaign headquarters. State Democratic leaders believed Delaney was "the most determined obstacle" to forming a potential "Fusion" agreement. [17] Two days later, Republican and Democratic leaders announced their opposition to the plan, though Republican auditor candidate King stayed mum. [18]
"Fusion" talks continued into August, though Delaney's position on the issue did not change. At a rally in St. Paul on August 13, Delaney remarked that he found the idea insulting, and that the Republican and Democratic schemers who devised the plan took him for a "half nut." [19] He went on: "No one is going to sell out Pat Delaney for any reason. With your help, I'll be elected." At a rally in late August, Delaney called out the "standpat Republicans" and "weak sisters among the Democrats" who hoped for a "Fusion" deal to emerge. [20]
On September 7, while speaking to the Ramsey County Democrats, Delaney called for a cessation of all "Fusion" discussions. [21]
The real 'radicals' that we must conquer are the cold and indifferent captains of big business who live to loot and plunder, who press the people deeper and deeper in the mire of despondency so that they themselves may roll in the filthy sty of unearned profits.
John Lyons, The Minneapolis Tribune [22]
After brewing for years, accusations that Farmer-Laborites were actually communists boiled over in 1934. In an August speech at Grand Rapids, Farmer-Labor candidate for State Auditor John Lyons called out "reactionary forces" he said were attempting to confuse voters with accusations of communism. [23] In September, Lyons refused to respond to an endorsement questionnaire sent out by the Minnesota Socialist Party, essentially declaring that he did not want their support. [24] Just days before the election, Lyons was still combating charges of communism and delivered a speech over radio to clarify his position that private enterprise was not a target of Farmer-Labor ire. He nonetheless confirmed the Farmer-Labor position against "greed and graft." [25]
Late in the campaign, Delaney accused King of embezzling public money and spending it on campaign literature. [26] King denied the charge. [27]
The election was held on November 6.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Stafford King (incumbent) | 380,302 | 38.76% | −14.48% | |
Farmer–Labor | John Lyons | 379,654 | 38.69% | +2.74% | |
Democratic | Patrick Delaney | 221,221 | 22.55% | +11.75% | |
Total votes | 981,177 | 100.00% | |||
Republican hold | |||||
Immediately following the election, it was unclear who had won. Though it could be safely surmised that Delaney had lost, the margin between King and Lyons was exceptionally narrow.
This race was the last race to be called for a seat on Minnesota's Executive Council, a body which helps to spend money and approve the governor's executive orders. Because the Farmer-Labor Party had already won the governorship and attorney general's office, and Republicans had locked in wins in the treasurer and secretary of state races, whichever party won the auditor's office would control the executive council.
On the morning of Tuesday, November 7, early unofficial tabulations had Lyons leading. [33] By the evening, King seemed to have pulled ahead. [34] Thursday papers reported Lyons had pulled ahead again. [35] By Friday, the closeness of the auditor's race was frontpage, headline news. King led by just 2,240 votes with 105 precincts left to report. [36]
The race seemed to settle the following weekend when King led by 1,539 votes with only one precinct outstanding. On the same day, the Farmer-Labor Party announced that they believed there had been a miscount, and that Lyons led by 137 votes. [37] One article claimed that Hennepin County had undercounted Lyons by as much as 1,400 votes. [38]
After all the precincts had been appropriately tallied, King led by 648 votes. The official canvass of the state was conducted on November 20, certifying this margin and opening the door for Lyons to request a recount. [39]
Lyons formally filed a recount request in Ramsey County District Court on November 24, alleging numerous irregularities and miscounts. [40] On November 26, Judge John Boerner granted Lyons request and ordered the appointment of ten teams of recounters at Lyons's expense. [41] The recount began on November 30.
In late December, recounters brought by King sued Lyons for failing to pay for the then-ongoing recount, and thereby failing to pay them. Judge Hugo Hanft ruled that Lyons was not obligated to pay for the recount until it was completed. [42]
The recount was not completed until February 1935. Even then, 1,500 votes remained uncounted due to disputes among the recounters. Though there were still ballots waiting to be counted, King's lead had nonetheless expanded to 988 votes. [43]
On February 21, 1935, Lyons's final challenge was dismissed in Ramsey County District Court by Judge Carlton McNally [44] King received his certificate of election in March, having been ruled the victor by 1,031 votes. [2]
Arne Helge Carlson is an American politician who served from 1991 to 1999 as the 37th governor of Minnesota. Carlson is considered a moderate Republican. Before his governorship, he served as the Minnesota State Auditor from 1979 to 1991.
The Republican Party of Minnesota is the state affiliate of the Republican Party in Minnesota and the oldest active political party in the state. Founded in 1855, the party controls four of Minnesota's eight congressional House seats. The last Republican governor of the state was Tim Pawlenty, who served from 2003 to 2011.
The 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty was endorsed by the state Republican convention on June 2, 2006, while the state Democratic–Farmer–Labor convention endorsed Mike Hatch on June 10, 2006. The party primaries took place on September 12, 2006, with Hatch defeating DFL challengers Becky Lourey and Ole Savior and incumbent Pawlenty defeating Sue Jeffers. In the November 7 general election, Pawlenty received a plurality of the votes, defeating Hatch by a margin of 1%. As a result, this election was the closest race of the 2006 gubernatorial election cycle.
The 2006 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election was an election for the United States House of Representatives for the open seat of incumbent Martin Olav Sabo (DFL), who retired after serving the Minneapolis-based district for 28 years.
Minnesota is known for a politically active citizenry, with populism being a longstanding force among the state's political parties. Minnesota has consistently high voter turnout; in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, 77.8% of eligible Minnesotans voted – the highest percentage of any U.S. state or territory – versus the national average of 61.7%. This was due in part to its same day voter registration laws; previously unregistered voters can register on election day, at their polls, with evidence of residency.
The 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to elect the 40th Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota for a four-year term to begin in January 2011. The general election was contested by the major party candidates State Representative Tom Emmer (R–Delano), former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton (DFL), and Independence Party candidate Tom Horner. After a very close race, Dayton was elected governor. Emmer would be elected to the United States House of Representatives four years later.
The 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, in the midst of that year's Republican Revolution. Incumbent Republican Arne Carlson easily won re-election over Democrat–Farmer–Labor state senator John Marty.
The 1920 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1920. Republican Party of Minnesota candidate J. A. O. Preus defeated Independent challenger's Henrik Shipstead and the Mayor of St. Paul, Laurence C. Hodgson. Shipstead narrowly lost to Preus in the Republican primary of that year and challenged him in the general, beating the Democratic nominee but coming far short of winning the general.
The 1912 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1912. Republican Party of Minnesota candidate Adolph Olson Eberhart defeated Democratic Party of Minnesota challenger Peter M. Ringdal.
The 2010 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 to elect the Minnesota State Auditor for a four-year term. Incumbent Rebecca Otto of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) was narrowly re-elected to a second term.
The 2006 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican Patricia Anderson was defeated by former State Representative Rebecca Otto of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). Independence Party of Minnesota candidate Lucy Gerold finished third.
The 1934 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 6, 1934. Incumbent Farmer–Labor U.S. Senator Henrik Shipstead defeated former State Senator Nathaniel J. Holmberg of the Republican Party of Minnesota and U.S. Representative Einar Hoidale of the Minnesota Democratic Party to win a third term.
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 4, 2014. All of Minnesota's executive officers were up for election as well as all the seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, several state judicial seats, a United States Senate seat, all of Minnesota's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives, and several seats for local offices. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, to nominate major political party candidates for partisan offices and candidates for nonpartisan offices.
The 2014 Minnesota Secretary of State election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Minnesota Secretary of State.
The 2014 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Minnesota State Auditor.
The 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, to elect the 41st Governor of Minnesota as incumbent Democratic governor Mark Dayton chose not to run for re-election for a third term. The Democratic nominee was congressman Tim Walz from Minnesota's 1st congressional district while the Republicans nominated Hennepin County commissioner Jeff Johnson. The Independence Party of Minnesota didn't field a candidate for the first time since 1994. Going into the election the polls showed Walz ahead and the race was characterized as lean or likely DFL.
The 1922 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 7, 1922. Farmer–Labor challenger Henrik Shipstead defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Frank B. Kellogg and Democratic challenger Anna Dickie Olesen.
Julie Blaha is an American politician and retired educator serving as the 19th state auditor of Minnesota since 2019. She is a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. Before her election as auditor, Blaha served as secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL–CIO, a federation of local trade unions.
The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Minnesota, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.
The 2022 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the state auditor of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Incumbent DFLer Julie Blaha narrowly won re-election to a second term.