2018 Minnesota Attorney General election explained

Election Name:	2018 Minnesota Attorney General election
Country:	Minnesota
Flag Image:	File:Flag of Minnesota (1983-2024).svg
Flag Year:	1983
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2014 Minnesota Attorney General election
Previous Year:	2014
Next Election:	2022 Minnesota Attorney General election
Next Year:	2022
Image1:	Keith Ellison portrait.jpg
Nominee1:	Keith Ellison
Party1:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Popular Vote1:	1,249,407
Percentage1:	48.96%
Nominee2:	Doug Wardlow
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,150,459
Percentage2:	45.08%
Image3:	3x4.svg
Nominee3:	Noah Johnson
Party3:	Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party
Popular Vote3:	145,748
Percentage3:	5.71%
Attorney General
Before Election:	Lori Swanson
Before Party:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
After Election:	Keith Ellison
After Party:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

The 2018 Minnesota Attorney General election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the attorney general of the U.S. state of Minnesota. A primary election was held on August 14, 2018, in which Doug Wardlow was nominated as the Republican candidate and Keith Ellison was nominated as the Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) candidate. Ellison won the election.

Background

DFL incumbent Lori Swanson was first elected attorney general in 2006. Swanson succeeded two-term DFL incumbent Mike Hatch, who opted to run for governor in 2006. Swanson was re-elected in 2010 and 2014. On January 28, 2018, Swanson announced that she would seek re-election. The announcement came after months of speculation that she would run for governor in 2018.^[1] On June 4, 2018, after failing to receive her own party's endorsement for attorney general, Swanson ended her campaign for attorney general and opted to run for governor instead.^[2]

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

• Keith Ellison, Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee since 2017; U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2007^{[3] [4]}
• Tom Foley, former Ramsey County attorney^{[5] [6]}
• Debra Hilstrom, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2001; former Anoka County assistant attorney^{[7] [8]}
  • Initially withdrew in January 2018 following Swanson's announcement that she would seek re-election.^[9] Re-entered the race following Swanson's withdrawal.
• Matt Pelikan, attorney; activist; former clerk for Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Paul Anderson and David Lillehaug^{[10] [11] [12]}
• Mike Rothman, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce from 2011 to 2017^{[13] [14]}
  • Initially withdrew on February 16, 2018, following Swanson's announcement that she would seek re-election. Re-entered the race following Swanson's withdrawal.

It was reported in late January 2018 that Ellison was exploring the possibility of seeking election to be attorney general. According to several people he had spoken with recently, Ellison was not likely to run but found it enticing.^[15] Following Swanson's withdrawal from the election on June 4, 2018, it was reported that Ellison was likely to enter the race, which he did the next day.^[16]

On June 2, 2018, the DFL endorsed Pelikan at their state convention. Swanson received 52 percent over Pelikan after the first round of balloting, but not the required 60 percent. Swanson then withdrew her nomination for the party's endorsement, but did not indicate if she would run in the primary election.

On June 4, 2018, Swanson announced she would no longer seek re-election and would instead run for Governor. The day after her announcement, Ellison, Foley, Hatch, Hilstrom, and Rothman entered the race. Hatch said he did not think Pelikan had sufficient courtroom experience and would withdraw if someone he thought was qualified entered the race, which he did the next day.^[17]

Withdrawn

• Sam Clark, former Saint Paul city attorney; former state director and counsel for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar^[18]
  • Withdrew on January 31, 2018, following Swanson's announcement that she would seek re-election.^[19]
• Mike Hatch, attorney general from 1999 to 2007
  • Withdrew on June 6, 2018.
• John Lesch, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2003; Saint Paul assistant city attorney^[20]
  • Withdrew on September 15, 2017, saying he wanted to spend more time with his infant daughter, to help the DFL win control of the Minnesota of House of Representatives, and cited the uncertainty of whether DFL incumbent Lori Swanson would seek re-election.^[21]
• Lori Swanson, incumbent since 2007
  • Withdrew on June 4, 2018, to seek election to be governor.
• Ryan Winkler, general counsel for Biothera; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015^[22]
  • Withdrew in January 2018 following Swanson's announcement that she would seek re-election.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Sharon Anderson, perennial candidate^[23]
• Bob Lessard, DFL member of the Minnesota Senate from 1977 to 2003^{[24] [25] [26]}
• Doug Wardlow, attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013^{[27] [28]}

Wardlow was endorsed by the Republicans on June 2, 2018, at their state convention.^[29]

Withdrawn

• Harry Niska, attorney; candidate for the Ramsey City Council in 2010^[30]
  • Withdrew on November 5, 2017, saying campaigning required too much personal life sacrifice.^[31]

Results

Minor parties and independents

Candidates

• Noah Johnson (Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party), attorney^{[32] [33]}

On October 15, 2018, Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party candidate Noah Johnson announced his endorsement of DFL nominee Keith Ellison. In explaining his endorsement, Johnson cited Ellison's recent statement of support for marijuana legalization. Johnson also stated that he wished to avoid drawing votes away from Ellison and thereby increasing Republican nominee Doug Wardlow's chances of victory. Johnson's name remained on the ballot.^[34]

General election

On October 27, 2018, Politico reported that the State of Minnesota had not elected a Republican attorney general in more than 40 years, but added that Ellison was "putting that streak to the test." According to Politico, Ellison had been "rocked by accusations of domestic abuse" and had fallen behind Wardlow in a recent poll; Politico added that the race "revolves around Ellison and what voters make of the misconduct allegations he's facing."^[35]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Keith Ellison (DFL)	Doug Wardlow (R)	Other	Undecided
SurveyUSA	October 29–31, 2018	600	±5.3%	align=center	44%	40%	4%	12%
Mason-Dixon	October 15–17, 2018	800	±3.5%	36%	align=center	43%	5%	16%
Mason-Dixon	September 10–12, 2018	800	±3.5%	align=center	41%	36%	5%	18%
SurveyUSA	September 6–8, 2018	574	±4.9%	41%	41%	4%	14%

Results by congressional district

Despite losing the state, Wardlow won 5 of 8 congressional districts, including two that elected Democrats.^[36]

District	Ellison	Wardlow	Representative
		42%	52%		Jim Hagedorn
		46%	48%		Angie Craig
		50%	45%		Dean Phillips
		61%	33%		Betty McCollum
		74%	20%		Ilhan Omar
		36%	58%		Tom Emmer
		36%	59%		Collin Peterson
		43%	51%		Pete Stauber

See also

• 2018 Minnesota elections

External links

• Elections & Voting - Minnesota Secretary of State

Official campaign websites

• Keith Ellison (DFL) for Attorney General
• Doug Wardlow (R) for Attorney General

Notes and References

1. News: Attorney General Lori Swanson running for re-election, not governor . Coolican . J. Patrick . January 28, 2018 . . January 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180129011642/http://www.startribune.com/attorney-general-lori-swanson-running-for-re-election-not-governor/471552874/ . 2018-01-29 . live .
2. News: Attorney General Lori Swanson shakes up DFL field in governor's race . Coolican . J. Patrick . June 5, 2018 . . June 5, 2018 . Golden . Erin . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141829/http://www.startribune.com/candidates-pivot-toward-primary/484485371/ . 2018-06-12 . live .
3. News: DFL candidates flood the field on final filing day . Van Berkel . Jessie . June 6, 2018 . . June 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612040519/http://www.startribune.com/keith-ellison-ilhan-omar-mike-hatch-all-file-for-primary-races-minnesota-dlf-gop/484590681/ . 2018-06-12 . live .
4. News: Featherly . Kevin . Keith Ellison thinks it's 'the right moment' . July 19, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . July 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720052018/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/07/13/keith-ellison-thinks-its-the-right-moment/ . 2018-07-20 . live .
5. News: Featherly . Kevin . Tom Foley: Attorney general job isn't just anti-Trump megaphone . July 19, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . July 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180719084022/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/07/05/tom-foley-attorney-general-job-isnt-just-anti-trump-megaphone/ . 2018-07-19 . live .
6. News: Callaghan . Peter . Tom Foley stresses his legal and administrative skills as differentiating factor in AG race . July 19, 2018 . . July 10, 2018 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720051757/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/07/tom-foley-stresses-his-legal-and-administrative-skills-differentiating-facto . 2018-07-20 . live .
7. News: Featherly . Kevin . Debra Hilstrom: 'A work horse, not a show horse' . June 28, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . June 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628142442/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/06/28/debra-hilstrom-a-work-horse-not-a-show-horse/ . 2018-06-28 . live .
8. News: Callaghan . Peter . In run for attorney general, Hilstrom touts experience as both legislator and prosecutor . July 19, 2018 . . July 13, 2018 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720052049/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/07/run-attorney-general-hilstrom-touts-experience-both-legislator-and-prosecuto . 2018-07-20 . live .
9. News: Pugmire. Tim. Swanson's plan thins DFL field for attorney general. January 29, 2018. Minnesota Public Radio. January 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180129224009/https://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2018/01/swansons-plan-thins-dfl-field-for-attorney-general/. 2018-01-29. live.
10. News: Coolican. J. Patrick. Attorney, activist from Northfield seeks DFL running for attorney general. January 17, 2018. Star Tribune. September 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122621/http://www.startribune.com/matt-pelikan-running-for-attorney-general/445435113/. 2018-01-18. live.
11. News: Featherly . Kevin . Matt Pelikan thinks he has a solid shot . July 19, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . June 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720051827/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/06/13/matt-pelikan-thinks-he-has-a-solid-shot/ . 2018-07-20 . live .
12. News: Callaghan . Peter . Instead of just being depressed by Trump's victory, Matt Pelikan decided to run for Minnesota attorney general . July 19, 2018 . . July 11, 2018 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720051746/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/07/instead-just-being-depressed-trump-s-victory-matt-pelikan-decided-run-minnes . 2018-07-20 . live .
13. News: Featherly . Kevin . DFLer Mike Rothman says he's ready from day one . June 28, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . June 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180629074239/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/06/21/dfler-mike-rothman-says-hes-ready-from-day-one/ . 2018-06-29 . live .
14. News: Callaghan . Peter . Is running the Department of Commerce great training for being Minnesota attorney general? That's the case Mike Rothman is making . July 19, 2018 . . July 6, 2018 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720080927/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/07/running-department-commerce-great-training-being-minnesota-attorney-general- . 2018-07-20 . live .
15. News: Ellison exploring Minnesota AG run. Dovere. Edward-Isaac. January 26, 2018. Politico. January 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083940/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/26/keith-ellison-minnesota-attorney-general-370849. 2018-01-27. live.
16. News: Dovere . Edward-Isaac . DNC Deputy Chair Ellison expected to run for Minnesota AG . June 4, 2018 . . June 4, 2018 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180605012210/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/04/ellison-minnesota-attorney-general-623660 . 2018-06-05 . live .
17. News: Van Berkel . Jessie . Mike Hatch says he will withdraw from Minnesota attorney general race . June 6, 2018 . . June 6, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180607122101/http://www.startribune.com/mike-hatch-says-he-will-withdraw-from-minnesota-attorney-general-race/484707661/ . 2018-06-07 . live .
18. News: Van Berkel. Jessie. St. Paul City Attorney Sam Clark announces campaign for Minnesota attorney general. January 17, 2018. Star Tribune. December 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122613/http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-city-attorney-sam-clark-announces-campaign-for-state-attorney-general/464227123/. 2018-01-18. live.
19. Web site: Clark. Sam. Announcement. Facebook. January 31, 2018. January 31, 2018.
20. News: Bakst. Brian. DFLer Lesch sets up campaign to run for Minnesota AG. January 17, 2018. Minnesota Public Radio. April 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122903/https://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2017/04/dfler-lesch-sets-up-campaign-for-ag/. 2018-01-18. live.
21. News: Bakst. Brian. DFL state Rep. Lesch ends bid for attorney general. January 17, 2018. Minnesota Public Radio. September 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118064935/https://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2017/09/dfl-state-rep-lesch-ends-bid-for-attorney-general/. 2018-01-18. live.
22. News: Golden. Erin. Former state Rep. Ryan Winkler announces 2018 run for Minnesota attorney general. January 17, 2018. Star Tribune. November 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122616/http://www.startribune.com/former-state-rep-ryan-winkler-announces-2018-run-for-minnesota-attorney-general/401568015/. 2018-01-18. live.
23. News: Featherly . Kevin . Quirky candidate Anderson's running for AG—again . August 9, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . August 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180809171249/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/08/09/quirky-candidate-andersons-running-for-ag-again/ . 2018-08-09 . live .
24. News: Beager . Laurel . 'The Old Trapper' seeks state's top legal post . June 17, 2018 . International Falls Journal . Big Fish Media . June 12, 2018 . en.
25. News: Featherly . Kevin . Bob Lessard runs for attorney general to protect Legacy funds . July 29, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . July 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180730050338/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/07/27/bob-lessard-runs-for-attorney-general-to-protect-legacy-funds/ . 2018-07-30 . live .
26. News: Salisbury . Bill . Former Rep. Wardlow faces longtime DFLer in Minnesota attorney general primary . August 9, 2018 . . August 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072559/https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/09/minnesota-attorney-generals-race-here-are-the-2-gop-candidates/ . 2018-08-10 . live .
27. News: Bierschbach. Briana. The campaign to become Minnesota's next attorney general is crowded, intense — and very much under the radar. January 17, 2018. MinnPost. January 10, 2018. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122650/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/01/campaign-become-minnesotas-next-attorney-general-crowded-intense-and-very-mu. 2018-01-18. live.
28. News: Featherly . Kevin . As attorney general, Doug Wardlow would insist on 'rule of law' . July 26, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . July 20, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180727085002/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/07/20/wardlow-would-insist-on-rule-of-law/ . 2018-07-27 . live .
29. News: DFL endorses Pelikan for AG after Swanson drops bid for party nod . Van Berkel . Jessie . June 2, 2018 . . June 2, 2018 . Rao . Maya . https://web.archive.org/web/20180623221945/http://www.startribune.com/swanson-drops-bid-for-dfl-endorsement-party-endorses-pelikan-for-ag/484386991/ . 2018-06-23 . live .
30. News: Republican attorney Harry Niska joins race for AG . Lopez . Ricardo . April 17, 2017 . . January 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122632/http://www.startribune.com/gop-attorney-harry-niska-joins-race-for-ag/419651483/ . 2018-01-18 . live .
31. News: Bakst. Brian. Republican lawyer Niska leaves Minn. AG race. January 17, 2018. Minnesota Public Radio. November 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122805/https://blogs.mprnews.org/capitol-view/2017/11/republican-lawyer-niska-leaves-minn-ag-race/. 2018-01-18. live.
32. News: Featherly . Kevin . Bar Buzz: Pro-pot AG candidate's got high hopes . June 17, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . June 14, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053321/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/06/14/bar-buzz-pro-pot-ag-candidates-got-high-hopes/ . 2018-06-16 . live .
33. News: Featherly . Kevin . Weed backer hopes to smoke competition in AG race . August 9, 2018 . Minnesota Lawyer . . August 3, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180804110934/https://minnlawyer.com/2018/08/03/weed-backer-hopes-to-smoke-competition-in-ag-race/ . 2018-08-04 . live .
34. News: Van Berkel . Jessie . Legalize Cannabis candidate endorses Keith Ellison for attorney general . October 19, 2018 . . October 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121854/http://www.startribune.com/legal-marijuana-now-candidate-endorses-keith-ellison-for-attorney-general/497572521/ . 2018-10-19 . live .
35. News: Keith Ellison reeling after abuse allegations. Politico. Choi. Matthew. October 27, 2018. October 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181028214204/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/27/keith-ellison-abuse-allegations-minnesota-ag-2018-943086. 2018-10-28. live.
36. Web site: DRA 2020. Daves Redistricting.