2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election explained

See also: 2018 United States gubernatorial elections.

Election Name:	2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Country:	Minnesota
Flag Year:	1983
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Turnout:	2,587,287 (63.6%)
Previous Election:	2014 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2014
Next Election:	2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2022
Election Date:	November 6, 2018
Image1:	File:Tim Walz official photo (cropped 2).jpg
Nominee1:	Tim Walz
Party1:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Running Mate1:	Peggy Flanagan
Popular Vote1:	1,393,096
Percentage1:	53.84%
Nominee2:	Jeff Johnson
Party2:	Republican Party of Minnesota
Running Mate2:	Donna Bergstrom
Popular Vote2:	1,097,705
Percentage2:	42.43%
Governor
Before Election:	Mark Dayton
Before Party:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
After Election:	Tim Walz
After Party:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

The 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, to elect the 41st Governor of Minnesota as incumbent Democratic (DFL) Governor Mark Dayton chose not to run for re-election for a third term. The Democratic nominee was U.S. Representative Tim Walz from Minnesota's 1st congressional district while the Republican Party nominated Hennepin County commissioner Jeff Johnson for a second consecutive time. The Independence Party of Minnesota did not field a candidate for the first time since 1994. Going into the election polls showed Walz ahead; the race was characterized as lean or likely DFL.

Walz went on to defeat Johnson by the largest margin for a DFL candidate since 1986, receiving more votes than any other gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota history. This was the first Minnesota gubernatorial election since 1958 in which any party won more than two consecutive elections, as well as the first time since 1998 where the party of the incumbent president lost.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Tim Walz, U.S. Representative^[1]
  • Running mate: Peggy Flanagan, State Representative^[2]

Eliminated in primary

• Tim Holden,^[3] real estate investor and candidate for Mayor of Saint Paul in 2017^[4]
  • Running mate: James P. Mellin II
• Erin Murphy, State Representative^[5]
  • Running mate: Erin Maye Quade, State Representative^[6]
• Olé Savior, perennial candidate
  • Running mate: Chris Edman
• Lori Swanson, Attorney General of Minnesota
  • Running mate: Rick Nolan, U.S. Representative^[7]

Withdrawn

• Paul Thissen, State Representative, former House Minority Leader, and former Speaker of the House^{[8] [9]}
• Chris Coleman, former Mayor of Saint Paul^{[10] [11]}
• Tina Liebling, State Representative^{[12] [13]}
• Rebecca Otto, Minnesota State Auditor^[14]
  • Running mate: Zarina Baber, IT professional

Declined

• Tom Bakk, Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate and candidate for governor in 2010^{[15] [16] [17]}
• Mark Dayton, incumbent governor^{[18] [19]}
• Debra Hilstrom, state representative and candidate for Secretary of State in 2014 (running for Minnesota Attorney General)^{[20] [21]}
• Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator (running for re-election)^[22]
• Rick Nolan, U.S. Representative^[23] (running for Lieutenant Governor)
• R. T. Rybak, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, former Mayor of Minneapolis and candidate for governor in 2010^{[24] [25] [26]}
• Tina Smith, U.S. Senator (running for election)^{[15] [27] [28]}

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Erin Murphy	Lori Swanson	Tim Walz	Other	Undecided
Emerson College	August 8–11, 2018	217	± 6.9%	19%	align=center	29%	28%	–	24%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	439	± 5.6%	11%	align=center	28%	24%	1%	align=center	37%
GQR Research (D-Minnesota Victory PAC)	June 25–27, 2018	602	–	17%	align=center	37%	29%	1%^[29]	16%

Straw poll

On February 6, 2018, the DFL conducted a statewide straw poll among registered Democrats in Minnesota. Caucus-goers were scheduled to elect delegates to their party's Senate district and county conventions, which in turn will elect state convention delegates who will endorse candidates for governor, two U.S. Senate seats, attorney general, state auditor and secretary of state. Congressional district delegates will endorse U.S. House candidates. Since the straw poll the three lowest performing candidates withdrew from the race (Paul Thissen, Chris Coleman, and Tina Liebling).

Congressional Unit	Total attendance	Chris Coleman	Tina Liebling	Erin Murphy	Rebecca Otto	Paul Thissen	Tim Walz	Other	Uncommitted
1	2,577	71	355	107	232	56	1,558	4	163
2	3,501	384	202	411	656	120	1,156	4	523
3	4,291	670	202	386	827	186	1,362	8	530
4	6,072	854	297	1,111	1,227	139	1,384	11	897
5	9,519	1,019	457	1,400	1,462	537	2,363	30	1,137
6	2,375	326	115	294	587	59	590	4	375
7	2,121	124	106	274	405	172	761	4	273
8	3,873	441	277	474	1,082	263	759	8	527
Statewide	34,329	3,889	2,011	4,457	6,478	1,532	align=center	9,933	73	4,425
Percent	-	11.86%	6.13%	13.59%	19.75%	4.67%	align=center	30.29%	0.22%	13.49%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Jeff Johnson, Hennepin County Commissioner, former state representative, and nominee for governor in 2014^[30]
  • Running mate: Donna Bergstrom, retired Marine Corps intelligence officer^[31]

Eliminated in primary

• Mathew Kruse^[3]
  • Running mate: Theresa Loeffler
• Tim Pawlenty, former governor and candidate for President of the United States in 2012^[32]
  • Running mate: Michelle Fischbach, incumbent lieutenant governor^[33]

Withdrew

• Phillip Parrish, Naval Reserve intelligence officer and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^[34]
• Mary Giuliani Stephens, mayor of Woodbury^{[35] [36]}
  • Running mate: Jeff Backer, state representative^[37]
• Christopher Chamberlin^{[38] [39]} (running for MN-05)
• Matt Dean, state representative^[40]
• Keith Downey, former chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota and former state representative^{[41] [42]}
• Blake Huffman, Ramsey County Commissioner^{[43] [44]}
• David Osmek, state senator^[45]

Declined

• Sarah Anderson, state representative^[46]
• Michele Bachmann, former U.S. Representative and candidate for president in 2012^[47]
• Michelle Benson, state senator and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014^{[27] [48]}
• Kurt Daudt, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (Endorsed Pawlenty) ^{[27] [48]}
• Tom Emmer, U.S. Representative and nominee for governor in 2010^[49] (running for re-election)^[50]
• Karin Housley, state senator^[48] (running for the U.S. Senate)^[51]
• Amy Koch, former Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate^[52]
• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow^[53]
• Mike McFadden, businessman and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014^{[27] [48]}
• Carla Nelson, state senator^{[54] [55]}
• Erik Paulsen, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^{[27] [48] [56]}
• Julie Rosen, state senator (endorsed Pawlenty)^{[48] [57]}
• Rich Stanek, Hennepin County Sheriff and former state representative (running for reelection)^{[27] [58]}

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jeff Johnson	Matt Kruse	Tim Pawlenty	Other	Undecided
Emerson College	August 8–11, 2018	156	± 8.0%	34%	–	align=center	43%	–	23%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	340	± 6.4%	32%	–	align=center	51%	1%	16%
BK Strategies (R)	June 24–25, 2018	439	± 4.7%	20%	3%	align=center	54%	–	23%

Results

Third parties and independents

Candidates

Declared

• Josh Welter (Libertarian Party)
• Chris Wright (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party), Grassroots Party nominee for governor in 1998, 2010 and 2014^{[59] [60]}

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[61]		October 26, 2018
The Washington Post^[62]		November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight^[63]		November 5, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report^[64]		November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[65]		November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics^[66]		November 4, 2018
Daily Kos^[67]		November 5, 2018
Fox News^[68]		November 5, 2018
Politico^[69]		November 5, 2018
Governing^[70]		November 5, 2018

Debates

The debate season began only three days after the primaries with Johnson and Walz participating in two debates on Friday, August 17. A third debate was held Friday, August 31.^{[71] [72]}

Host
network/sponsors! rowspan="2"

Date	Link(s)	Participants
Tim Walz (DFL)		Jeff Johnson (R)
MPR News	August 31, 2018		Invited	Invited
KSTP-TV	August 17, 2018	^[73]	Invited	Invited
Twin Cities PBS (Almanac)	August 17, 2018	^[74]	Invited	Invited

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tim Walz (D)	Jeff Johnson (R)	Josh Welter (L)	Other	Undecided
Change Research	November 2–4, 2018	953	–	align=center	53%	41%	2%	2%^[75]	–
Research Co.	November 1–3, 2018	450	± 4.6%	align=center	48%	42%	–	1%	9%
SurveyUSA	October 29–31, 2018	600	± 5.3%	align=center	49%	41%	–	2%	9%
St. Cloud State University	October 15–30, 2018	404	–	align=center	50%	34%	–	–	–
Mason-Dixon	October 15–17, 2018	800	± 3.5%	align=center	45%	39%	3%	2%	12%
Change Research	October 12–13, 2018	1,413	–	align=center	47%	44%	3%	4%^[76]	2%
Marist College	September 30 – October 4, 2018	637 LV	± 4.9%	align=center	51%	36%	6%	<1%	6%
	align=center	55%	38%	–	<1%	7%
	860 RV	± 4.2%	align=center	49%	37%	7%	<1%	7%
	align=center	53%	39%	–	1%	8%
Mason-Dixon	September 10–12, 2018	800	± 3.5%	align=center	45%	36%	1%	2%	16%
SurveyUSA	September 6–8, 2018	574	± 4.9%	align=center	47%	40%	–	3%	10%
Suffolk University	August 17–20, 2018	500	± 4.4%	align=center	46%	41%	1%	1%^[77]	12%
Emerson College	August 8–11, 2018	500	± 4.6%	align=center	40%	33%	–	–	27%

with Erin Murphy and Tim Pawlenty

with Lori Swanson and Tim Pawlenty

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Lori Swanson (D)	Tim Pawlenty (R)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College	August 8–11, 2018	500	± 4.6%	align=center	44%	36%	–	21%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	876	± 4.0%	align=center	51%	40%	2%	7%
BK Strategies	June 24–25, 2018	1,574	± 2.5%	align=center	46%	41%	–	13%

with Tim Walz and Tim Pawlenty

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tim Walz (D)	Tim Pawlenty (R)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College	August 8–11, 2018	500	± 4.6%	align=center	44%	33%	–	23%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	876	± 4.0%	align=center	51%	40%	1%	8%
BK Strategies	June 24–25, 2018	1,574	± 2.5%	align=center	48%	41%	–	11%

with Lori Swanson and Jeff Johnson

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Generic Democrat	Generic Republican	Undecided
BK Strategies	June 24–25, 2018	1,574	± 2.5%	align=center	48%	42%	10%
Public Policy Polling (D-A Better Minnesota)	June 15–16, 2018	717	–	align=center	46%	39%	16%

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Aitkin (largest city: Aitkin)
• Big Stone (largest city: Ortonville)
• Chippewa (largest city: Montevideo)
• Grant (largest city: Elbow Lake)
• Itasca (largest city: Grand Rapids)
• Kittson (largest city: Hallock)
• Lac qui Parle (largest city: Madison)
• Marshall (largest city: Warren)
• Norman (largest city: Ada) (became tied)
• Pennington (largest city: Thief River Falls)
• Pine (largest city: Pine City)
• Pope (largest city: Glenwood)
• Red Lake (largest city: Red Lake Falls)
• Stevens (largest city: Morris)
• Swift (largest city: Benson)
• Traverse (largest city: Wheaton)
• Watonwan (largest city: St. James)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Anoka (largest city: Blaine)
• Dakota (largest city: Lakeville)
• Olmsted (largest city: Rochester)
• Washington (largest city: Woodbury)

Results by congressional district

Walz won 5 of 8 congressional districts. Each candidate won a district won by the other party.^[78]

District	Walz	Johnson	Representative
		49.54%	47.18%		Jim Hagedorn
		51.52%	44.58%		Angie Craig
		54.44%	42.37%		Dean Phillips
		65.72%	30.56%		Betty McCollum
		77.91%	18.17%		Ilhan Omar
		40.53%	55.49%		Tom Emmer
		39.56%	56.86%		Collin Peterson
		47.14%	48.93%		Pete Stauber

Voter demographics

Walz!

Johnson	No Answer	% of Voters
Gender
Men	48	49	3	46
Women	59	37	4	54
Age
18–24 years old	71	25	4	6
25–29 years old	63	34	3	5
30–39 years old	60	38	2	12
40–49 years old	51	46	3	13
50–64 years old	54	45	1	29
65 and older	52	46	2	35
Race
White	53	46	1	89
Black	84	14	2	5
Latino	N/A	N/A	N/A	3
Asian	N/A	N/A	N/A	2
Other	N/A	N/A	N/A	2
Race by gender
White men	46	53	1	41
White women	59	39	2	48
Black men	N/A	N/A	N/A	3
Black women	N/A	N/A	N/A	2
Latino men	N/A	N/A	N/A	1
Latino women	N/A	N/A	N/A	1
Others	N/A	N/A	N/A	3
Education
High school or less	52	45	3	17
Some college education	48	49	3	24
Associate degree	48	49	3	17
Bachelor's degree	56	40	4	26
Advanced degree	70	28	2	16
Education and race
White college graduates	61	35	4	38
White no college degree	46	51	3	51
Non-white college graduates	70	26	4	4
Non-white no college degree	74	23	3	7
Whites by education and gender
White women with college degrees	68	29	3	21
White women without college degrees	51	45	4	28
White men with college degrees	54	43	3	17
White men without college degrees	40	58	2	23
Non-whites	73	24	3	11
Income
Under $30,000	63	34	3	14
$30,000–49,999	54	43	3	21
$50,000–99,999	48	51	1	36
$100,000–199,999	55	42	3	23
Over $200,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	7
Party ID
Democrats	95	5	N/A	39
Republicans	10	90	N/A	32
Independents	51	42	7	28
Party by gender
Democratic men	94	5	1	14
Democratic women	95	4	1	25
Republican men	8	92	N/A	16
Republican women	12	88	N/A	17
Independent men	47	48	5	16
Independent women	58	34	8	13
Ideology
Liberals	94	2	4	27
Moderates	65	32	3	39
Conservatives	10	87	3	33
Marital status
Married	47	49	4	68
Unmarried	63	33	4	32
Gender by marital status
Married men	43	54	3	31
Married women	51	45	4	36
Unmarried men	52	43	5	15
Unmarried women	72	24	4	18
First-time midterm election voter
Yes	52	44	4	12
No	55	42	3	88
Most important issue facing the country
Health care	74	24	2	50
Immigration	20	79	1	22
Economy	30	67	3	18
Gun policy	N/A	N/A	N/A	8
Area type
Urban	67	30	3	40
Suburban	50	46	4	32
Rural	41	56	3	28
Source: CNN^[79]

See also

• 2018 Minnesota elections
• 2018 Minnesota House of Representatives election
• 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota
• 2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota
• 2018 United States Senate election in Minnesota

External links

• Elections & Voting - Minnesota Secretary of State
• Candidates at Vote Smart
• Candidates at Ballotpedia

Official campaign websites

• Jeff Johnson (R) for Governor
• Tim Walz (DFL) for Governor
• Josh Welter (L) for Governor
• Chris Wright (G-LC) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Democrat Walz to run for governor. Post-Bulletin. Carlson. Heather J.. March 27, 2017. March 27, 2017. March 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327213737/http://www.postbulletin.com/news/politics/walz-to-run-for-governor/article_bf1a1a38-f506-5c21-b2f1-cf2365af29c0.html. dead.
2. Web site: DFL candidate for governor Tim Walz picks Peggy Flanagan, state representative from Twin Cities, as running mate. Star Tribune. Coolican. J. Patrick. October 5, 2017. October 5, 2017.
3. Web site: Candidate Filings. candidates.sos.state.mn.us. 18 August 2018.
4. News: Investor says he's selling St. Paul properties to run for mayor. 2017-03-22. Twin Cities. 2018-06-19. en-US.
5. Web site: St. Paul Rep. Erin Murphy announces run for MN governor. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stassen-Berger. Rachel E.. November 17, 2016. November 17, 2016.
6. Web site: Erin Murphy taps Erin Maye Quade as running mate in race for governor. WCCO-TV. June 3, 2018. June 3, 2018.
7. Web site: Attorney General Lori Swanson joins governor's race. Star Tribune. Coolican. J. Patrick. Golden. Erin. June 4, 2017. June 4, 2018.
8. News: State Rep. Paul Thissen drops out of Minnesota governor's race. Minneapolis Star Tribune. 2018-02-07. February 7, 2017. Van Berkel . Jessie.
9. Web site: Former Minnesota DFL House Speaker Paul Thissen to run for governor. Minneapolis Star Tribune. Coolican. J. Patrick. June 14, 2017. June 15, 2017. June 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170615030335/http://www.startribune.com/former-minnesota-dfl-house-speaker-paul-thissen-to-run-for-governor/428538203/. dead.
10. Web site: St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to run for governor in 2018 – Twin Cities. 13 December 2016. 2016-12-13.
11. Web site: Coleman withdraws from governor's race. 2018-02-12.
12. Web site: With detailed policy focus, Democrat Tina Liebling to run for governor. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stassen-Berger. Rachel E.. April 2, 2017. April 2, 2017.
13. Web site: DFL Rep. Tina Liebling drops out of governor's race. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Magan. Christopher. March 12, 2018. March 12, 2018.
14. Web site: State Auditor Rebecca Otto Withdraws Campaign For Governor. CBS Minnesota. June 4, 2018. June 5, 2018. June 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004528/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/06/04/otto-withdraws-campaign/amp/. dead.
15. Web site: Handicapping the next race for governor: the DFLers. November 22, 2014. March 6, 2015. Condon. Patrick. Star Tribune.
16. Web site: Sen. Bakk Holds Caucus Together, While Also Reaching Across Political Aisle. Mesabi Daily News. Hanna. Bill. January 23, 2016. June 21, 2016.
17. http://www.timberjay.com/stories/swanson-entry-roils-dfl-gubernatorial-contest,14150 The Timberjay
18. News: Minnesota governor 2018: A who's who of possible candidates. 20 February 2018. Minnesota Public Radio. Associated Press. 21 November 2016. ...as both parties aim to replace Gov. Mark Dayton, who has said he won't seek a third term..
19. News: Shepard. Steven. Minnesota Rep. Nolan won't run for reelection. 20 February 2018. Politico. 9 February 2018. Gov. Mark Dayton — himself a former senator — isn't seeking a third term..
20. Web site: Crow Wing County DFL convenes, thinks 2018. Brainerd Dispatch. Kayser. Zach. May 1, 2017. May 1, 2017. July 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170701213941/http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/politics/4259315-crow-wing-county-dfl-convenes-thinks-2018. dead.
21. News: DFL Rep. Debra Hilstrom joins Minn. attorney general race. Star Tribune. 2017-12-29.
22. Web site: Klobuchar will run again for Senate, rules herself out for governor's race. Star Tribune. December 25, 2016. December 26, 2016. Allison. Sherry.
23. News: U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan running for re-election, not for governor. Star Tribune. Coolican. J. Patrick. June 2, 2017. June 2, 2017.
24. Web site: Is a gubernatorial run next for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman?. Melo. Frederick. September 18, 2015. St. Paul Pioneer Press. September 19, 2016.
25. Web site: Q&A: R.T. Rybak on his new gig at the Minneapolis Foundation — and whether or not he'll run for governor. MinnPost. Kimball. Joe. May 4, 2016. September 19, 2016.
26. Web site: R.T. Rybak says he's here to stay, in a city he loves like a middle-schooler's crush. Star Tribune. Ode. Kim. May 18, 2016. September 19, 2016.
27. Web site: It's really not too early to think about 2018. Is it?. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stassen-Berger. Rachel E.. September 1, 2015. June 21, 2016.
28. Web site: Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will not run for Minnesota governor in 2018. Star Tribune. Lopez. Ricardo. March 17, 2017. March 17, 2017.
29. Tim Holden and Olé Savior with 0%, other 1%
30. Web site: Echoing Trump's populist message, Jeff Johnson enters race for governor. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stassen-Berger. Rachel E.. May 10, 2017. May 10, 2017.
31. Web site: Jeff Johnson picks Donna Bergstrom as running mate in governor's race. Star Tribune. Van Berkel. Jessie. May 14, 2018. May 14, 2018.
32. News: Tim Pawlenty makes it official: He's running for governor again . . Coolican . J. Patrick . April 5, 2018 . April 5, 2018.
33. Web site: Pawlenty picks Fischbach as running mate. Star Tribune. Coolican. J Patrick. May 31, 2018. May 31, 2018.
34. Web site: Former Medford man launches run for governor. Owatonna People's Press. Morris. William. March 21, 2017. August 22, 2017.
35. Web site: Woodbury mayor files to run for governor as Republican. Minneapolis Star Tribune. 2017-11-29. 2017-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20171130191121/http://www.startribune.com/woodbury-mayor-files-to-run-for-governor-as-republican/460571733/. dead.
36. Web site: GOP endorses Jeff Johnson for Governor. Kare 11.
37. Web site: Giuliani Stephens names Backer to ticket in GOP governor bid. Star Tribune. May 2, 2018. May 4, 2018. May 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505065603/http://www.startribune.com/giuliani-stephens-names-backer-to-ticket-in-gop-governor-bid/481514221/. dead.
38. Web site: MN native Christopher Chamberlin running for governor in 2018. Lease, Lawrence. News Record. December 31, 2016. December 31, 2016.
39. Web site: As Dayton weighs Franken replacement, who may run in 2018?. Minnesota Public Radio. Pugmire. Tim. December 7, 2017. December 7, 2017.
40. [The Associated Press]
41. Web site: Keith Downey, former GOP chair, is running for governor with the message: 'I believe in you.'. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stassen-Berger. Rachel E.. July 24, 2017. August 22, 2017.
42. News: Keith Downey, former MN GOP chairman, drops out of governor's race . . Salisbury . Bill . April 18, 2018 . April 18, 2018.
43. Web site: Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman to run for governor. St. Paul Pioneer Press. April 18, 2017. April 19, 2017.
44. Web site: Ramsey County's Blake Huffman withdraws from race for MN governor. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stassen-Berger. Rachel E.. September 3, 2017. September 5, 2017.
45. Web site: David Osmek says his campaign for Minnesota governor is over. twincities.com. The Associated Press. January 8, 2018. January 8, 2018. The Associated Press.
46. Web site: Rep. Sarah Anderson: A name for the 2018 statewide mix?. Star Tribune. Coolican. J. Patrick. February 18, 2017. February 24, 2017.
47. Web site: Michele Bachmann warns about 'radical Islam'. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Montgomery. David. July 19, 2017. July 20, 2017.
48. Web site: Handicapping the next race for governor: The Republicans. November 29, 2014. March 6, 2015. Lopez. Ricardo. Star Tribune.
49. Web site: GOP hopefuls for governor seek support from party. Montgomery. David. December 5, 2016. Austin Daily Herald. December 6, 2016.
50. Web site: Dillon . Nora . May 25, 2018 . Emmer Files For Reelection . June 1, 2018 . emmerforcongress.com.
51. Web site: Karin Housley pulls in $514K for Senate race; businessman Jerry Trooien to enter fray. 13 April 2018. 1 June 2018.
52. Web site: Morning Digest: GOP poll gives Tammy Baldwin an early double-digit lead in Wisconsin Senate race. Daily Kos Elections. February 23, 2017. February 24, 2017.
53. Web site: Pillow mogul Mike Lindell denies report he is considering run for governor. Star Tribune. 22 May 2018.
54. Web site: Miller out, but plenty of other GOPers mull 1st District bids. Post-Bulletin. Carlson. Heather J.. June 7, 2017. June 13, 2017.
55. News: Nelson running for Congress. Post-Bulletin. Carlson. Heather J.. October 2, 2017. October 2, 2017. October 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003090555/http://www.postbulletin.com/news/politics/nelson-to-run-for-congress/article_7570f3a4-c88a-5353-9dee-f3a1fc6be2d9.html. dead.
56. Web site: Talking Points: Erik Paulsen & The 2018 Election. 24 September 2017. June 1, 2018.
57. Web site: Republican women consider runs for Minnesota office — but so far, few pulling trigger. Golden. Erin. Star Tribune. September 9, 2017. en-US. 2017-09-19.
58. Web site: Sheriff Rich Stanek running for re-election, not governor, in 2018. Minneapolis Star-Tribune. May 21, 2017. May 22, 2017. J. Patrick. Coolican. May 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521023247/http://www.startribune.com/sheriff-rich-stanek-running-for-re-election-not-governor-in-2018/423378013/. dead.
59. Web site: Politicians and citizens implore Minnesotans to legalize marijuana at 4/20 rally . May 10, 2017 . City College News . Dickson, Janiese.
60. News: Legal pot advocates join Minnesota races for state, federal offices. Golden. Erin. June 16, 2018. Star Tribune. June 17, 2018.
61. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings for October 26, 2018. The Cook Political Report. en. 2021-04-10.
62. News: The Washington Post's gubernatorial race ratings. The Washington Post. October 16, 2018.
63. Web site: 2018 Governor Forecast FiveThirtyEight. FiveThirtyEight. 17 October 2018. en. October 17, 2018.
64. Web site: 2018 Gubernatorial Ratings . Inside Elections . en. 2017-11-15.
65. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Governor. www.centerforpolitics.org. en-US. 2017-11-15.
66. Web site: 2018 Governor Races. RealClearPolitics. October 9, 2018.
67. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings. Daily Kos. June 5, 2018.
68. Web site: 2018 Midterm Power Ranking. Fox News. 10 October 2021.
69. Web site: Politico Race Ratings. Politico.
70. Web site: 2018 Governor Elections: As November Nears, More Governors' Races Become Tossups . www.governing.com . en . 2018-07-18 . October 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181021005343/http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-governors-races-july-ratings.html . dead.
71. Web site: Debates get race for Minnesota governor off to a roaring start. Star Tribune.
72. Web site: Johnson, Walz spar at State Fair governor's debate.
73. Web site: Johnson, Walz Participate in First Debate in Nisswa | KSTP.com . 2018-08-18 . 2018-08-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051126/https://kstp.com/politics/jeff-johnson-tim-walz-participate-debate-nisswa-minnesota-gubernatorial-race/5034677/ . dead .
74. Web site: Almanac | Jeff Johnson + Tim Walz in the first post-primary TV debate | Season 2018 | Episode 48.
75. Chris Wright (GLC) with 2%
76. Chris Wright (GLC) with 4%
77. Chris Wright (GLC) with 1%
78. Web site: Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts. Daily Kos. 11 August 2020.
79. News: Minnesota gubernatorial election exit poll . November 20, 2018 . . en.