2010 Minnesota gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2010 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Country:	Minnesota
Flag Year:	1983
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2006
Next Election:	2014 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2014
Election Date:	November 2, 2010
Image1:	File:Mark Dayton official photo.jpg
Nominee1:	Mark Dayton
Running Mate1:	Yvonne Prettner Solon
Party1:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Popular Vote1:	919,232
Percentage1:	43.63%
Nominee2:	Tom Emmer
Running Mate2:	Annette Meeks
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	910,462
Percentage2:	43.21%
Image3:	3x4.svg
Nominee3:	Tom Horner
Running Mate3:	Jim Mulder
Party3:	Independence Party of Minnesota
Popular Vote3:	251,487
Percentage3:	11.94%
Map Size:	280px
Governor
Before Election:	Tim Pawlenty
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Mark Dayton
After Party:	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

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.^[1] Emmer would be elected to the United States House of Representatives four years later.^[2]

This was the first time the Democrats won the governorship since Rudy Perpich won re-election in 1986. With a margin of 0.4%, this election was the closest race of the 2010 gubernatorial election cycle.

Republican primary

After incumbent Governor Tim Pawlenty announced in June 2009 that he would not seek a third term,^[3] the field was open for Republicans to seek their party's endorsement. At the Minnesota GOP's off-year state convention in October 2009, former Representative Marty Seifert took first place in a straw poll with 37% of the vote. Representative Tom Emmer took second place with 23%, Patricia Anderson had 14%, and the rest of the participating candidates received less than 10% each.^{[4] [5]}

Seifert had another victory in the February 2 precinct caucuses, winning a statewide straw poll of caucus attendees with 50% of the vote, followed by Emmer with 39%. None of the other candidates got beyond single digits.^[6] Delegates to the state convention, however, were more closely divided between Emmer and Seifert than the initial straw poll indicated. Both camps claimed a delegate lead throughout the process leading up to the state convention, but the outcome was uncertain and was ultimately decided on the convention floor.^[7]

On April 30, Emmer won the Republican endorsement at the party's state convention in Minneapolis. After Emmer won 56% of the vote on the second ballot, Seifert withdrew from the race and threw his support to Emmer. Emmer then chose Metropolitan Council member Annette Meeks as his running mate for lieutenant governor.^[8]

Emmer won the August 10 primary, earning a spot on the November ballot.^[9]

Candidates

Declared

• Bob Carney Jr., inventor^[10]
  • William McGaughey^[11]
• Leslie Davis, environmental activist^{[12] [13]}
  • Gregory K. Soderberg
• Tom Emmer, state representative^[14]
  • Annette Meeks, Metropolitan Council Member
• Ole Savior, perennial candidate, artist, poet;
  • Todd "Elvis" Anderson, Elvis impersonator^[15]

Withdrew

• Patricia Anderson, former State Auditor^[16]
• Bill Haas, former state representative, former mayor of Champlin^[17]
• David Hann, state senator^[18]
• Phil Herwig, activist^{[4] [19]}
• Mike Jungbauer, state senator, former mayor of East Bethel^[20]
• Paul Kohls, state representative^[21]
• Marty Seifert, state representative, former State House Minority Leader

Declined

• Laura Brod, state representative^[22]
• Norm Coleman, former U.S. Senator, former St. Paul mayor^{[23] [24]}
• Paul Koering, state senator^{[25] [26]}
• Tim Pawlenty, incumbent governor^[3]
• Jim Ramstad, former U.S. Representative^[27]
• Brian Sullivan, businessman^[28]
• Steve Sviggum, Commissioner of Labor and Industry and former State House Speaker^[29]
• Charlie Weaver, former Commissioner of Public Safety^[30]

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

The list of candidates seeking the DFL's nomination was long going into the February 2 caucuses, with over 11 candidates having submitted their names for the candidate preference ballot. Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton notably declined to be included on the ballot. Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak won the straw poll with 21.8% of the vote, with State House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher receiving 20.1%, and "uncommitted" receiving 14.7%. The other each candidates received single-digit support.^{[31] [32]}

Former State Senator Steve Kelley dropped out of the race after a disappointing result in the straw poll. State Senator Tom Bakk also dropped out on March 20 after announcing at the St. Louis County Convention that he believed his chances of winning were slim.

On April 24, the DFL State Convention was held in Duluth. State Senator John Marty withdrew from the race after seeing lower than expected support on the first ballot, and State Representative Tom Rukavina withdrew after the fourth ballot, endorsing Kelliher. State Representative Paul Thissen withdrew after the fifth ballot, and before the results of the sixth ballot were announced, Rybak withdrew as well, endorsing Kelliher.^[33] Kelliher was subsequently endorsed by the convention. Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, who had not sought the DFL endorsement but was planning to run in the primary, dropped out two days later. That left Kelliher facing Dayton and former State House Minority Leader Matt Entenza in the August primary.

Shortly after the end of the 2010 legislative term, all three major DFL candidates had announced their choices for lieutenant governor. On May 21, Kelliher announced that John Gunyou would be her running mate. Gunyou is Minnetonka City Manager and was state finance commissioner in Republican Governor Arne Carlson's administration.^[34] On May 24, Dayton announced Yvonne Prettner Solon as his running mate. Solon is a psychologist and three-term state senator.^[35] On May 27, Entenza announced Robyne Robinson as his running mate. Robinson is a small-business owner and former TV anchor.^[36]

Dayton narrowly won the August 10 primary, earning the right to serve as his party's nominee.^[37] He was formally endorsed by the DFL on August 21.^[38]

Candidates

Declared

• Mark Dayton, former United States Senator^[39]
  • Yvonne Prettner Solon, Minnesota State Senator
• Matt Entenza, former State House Minority Leader^[40]
  • Robyne Robinson, former television personality
• Margaret Anderson Kelliher, State Speaker of the House
  • John Gunyou, Minnetonka City Manager
• Peter Idusogie
  • Lady Jayne Fontaine

Withdrew

• Tom Bakk, state senator^[41]
• Susan Gaertner, Ramsey County Attorney^[42]
• Steve Kelley, former state senator^{[43] [44]}
• John Marty, state senator and 1994 DFL gubernatorial nominee^[43]
  • Patricia Torres Ray, state senator^[45]
• Tom Rukavina, state representative^[46]
• R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis mayor^[47]
• Paul Thissen, state representative^[48]

Declined

• Chris Coleman, Mayor of Saint Paul^[49]
• Mike Opat, Chairman of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners^[50]

Polling

Poll source	Dates administered	Mark Dayton	Matt Entenza	Margaret Anderson Kelliher	Undecided	Sampling error
Survey USA	August 2–4, 2010	align="center"	43%	22%	27%	8%	4.5%
Minnesota Poll	July 26–29, 2010	align="center"	40%	17%	30%	13%	7.3%
Survey USA	June 14–16, 2010	align="center"	39%	22%	26%	11%	4.5%
Humphrey Institute / MPR	May 13–16, 2010	align="center"	38%	6%	28%	28%	8.75%

Results

At 11:50 p.m. on primary night, Dayton took the lead from Kelliher, who had held an ever-shrinking lead since the polls closed.

Independence primary

On Sunday, May 9, 2010, Tom Horner won the endorsement of the Independence Party for governor. His main opponent, Rob Hahn, said he would contest the primary.^[51]

Horner won the August 10 primary, defeating Hahn to earn a place on the November ballot.^[9]

Candidates

• Rob Hahn^[52]
  • Thomas J. Harens
• Tom Horner, public affairs consultant^[53]
  • Jim Mulder
• Phil Ratté^[54]
  • Gayle-Lynn Lemaster^[55]
• John T. Uldrich
  • Stephen Williams
• Rahn V. Workcuff
  • Mark F. Workcuff

Withdrew

• Joe Repya, former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army^{[56] [57]}

Declined

• Tim Penny, former U.S. Representative^[58]
• Dean Barkley, former U.S. Senator^[59]
• Peter Bell, Metropolitan Council Chair^[59]
• David Olson, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President^[59]

Results

General election

Early polls showed Emmer even with his likely DFL opponents, with Horner trailing far behind, and a large percentage of voters undecided.^{[60] [61] [62]} As the race progressed, polls showed the candidates even, or Dayton with a small but significant lead.^[63] The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, CQ Politics and pollster Rasmussen Reports rated the gubernatorial election a tossup,^{[64] [65] [66] [67] [68]} while New York Times political statistician Nate Silver gave Dayton an 86% chance of winning and Emmer 14%.^[69]

Dayton led Emmer at the close of balloting by 8770 votes (0.42%).^[70] The margin of victory was small enough to trigger an automatic recount under state law, but analysts generally thought it unlikely that Dayton's lead would be overturned.^[71]

Dayton became just the fourth victorious Minnesota Democrat to win a gubernatorial election with a Democrat in the White House in 28 cycles.^[72]

Candidates

• Tom Emmer (R) – State Representative; and Annette Meeks, Metropolitan Council Member^[14]
• Mark Dayton (DFL) – former United States Senator; and Yvonne Prettner Solon, Minnesota State Senator^{[35] [39]}
• Tom Horner (IP) – public affairs consultant; and Jim Mulder^[53]
• Ken Pentel (EDP) and Erin Wallace^[73]
• Farheen Hakeem (G) and Dan Dittman^[73]
• Chris Wright (GR) and Edwin Engelmann^[73]
• Linda Eno (Resource Party) and Howard Hanson^[73]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Cook Political Report^[74]		October 14, 2010
Rothenberg^[75]		October 28, 2010
RealClearPolitics^[76]		November 1, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[77]		October 28, 2010
CQ Politics^[78]		October 28, 2010

Polling

Graphical summary

Poll source	Dates administered	Margion of Error	Tom Emmer (R)	Mark Dayton (DFL)	Tom Horner (I)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	Oct. 27 – 29, 2010	±2.2%	40%	align="center"	43%	15%	3%
SurveyUSA	Oct. 24 – 27, 2010	±4%	38%	align="center"	39%	13%	9%
Minnesota Public Radio	Oct. 21 – 25, 2010	±3.6%	29%	align="center"	41%	11%	20%
St. Cloud State University	Oct. 10 – 21, 2010	±5.0%	30%	align="center"	40%	19%	10%
Minnesota Poll	Oct. 18 – 21, 2010	±3.9%	34%	align="center"	41%	13%	12%
Rasmussen Reports	Oct. 20, 2010	±4.0%	41%	align="center"	44%	10%	5%
Survey USA	Oct. 11 – 13, 2010	±3.7%	37%	align="center"	42%	14%	7%
Rasmussen Reports	Oct. 6, 2010	±4%	38%	align="center"	40%	15%	7%
Humphrey Institute/MPR	Sep. 22 – 26, 2010	±3.6%	27%	align="center"	38%	16%	19%
Minnesota Poll	Sep. 20–23, 2010	±4.1%	30%	align="center"	39%	18%	13%
Rasmussen Reports	Sep. 22, 2010	±4%	align="center"	42%	41%	9%	2%
Survey USA	Sep. 12 – 14, 2010	±3.9%	36%	align="center"	38%	18%	4%
Humphrey Institute/MPR	Aug. 31, 2010	±5.3%	34%	34%	13%	19%
Rasmussen Reports	Aug. 12, 2010	±4.0%	36%	align="center"	45%	10%	10%
Survey USA	Aug. 2 – 4, 2010	±2.7%	32%	align="center"	46%	9%	13%
Minnesota Poll	Jul. 26 – 29, 2010	±4.3%	30%	align="center"	40%	13%	17%
Rasmussen Reports	Jul. 19, 2010	±4.5%	36%	align="center"	40%	10%	14%
Survey USA	Jun. 14 – 16, 2010	±2.5%	35%	align="center"	38%	12%	15%
Decision Resources, Ltd.	May 28 – Jun. 2, 2010	±3.5%	28%	align="center"	40%	18%	14%
Rasmussen Reports	May 24, 2010	±4.5%	align="center"	37%	35%	12%	16%
Humphrey Institute/MPR	May 13 – 16, 2010	±5.8%	31%	align="center"	35%	9%	25%
Survey USA	May 3 – 5, 2010	±4.1%	align="center"	42%	34%	9%	15%
Rasmussen Reports	Mar. 10, 2010	±3%	35%	align="center"	38%	7%	20%

With Entenza

width='170'	Poll source	width='130'	Dates administered	width='120'	Tom Emmer (R)	width='150'	Matt Entenza (DFL)	width='130'	Tom Horner (I)	width='100'	Undecided	width='100'	Sampling error
Survey USA	August 2–4, 2010	align=center	33%	align=center	38%	align=center	12%	align=center	17%	align=center	2.7%
Minnesota Poll	align=center	July 26–29, 2010	align=center	31%	align=center	36%	align=center	15%	align=center	17%	align=center	4.3%
Rasmussen Reports	align=center	July 19, 2010	align=center	36%	align=center	37%	align=center	12%	align=center	15%	align=center	4.5%
Survey USA	June 14–16, 2010	align=center	37%	align=center	33%	align=center	12%	align=center	18%	align=center	2.5%
Decision Resources, Ltd.	May 28 – June 2, 2010	align=center	27%	align=center	34%	align=center	19%	align=center	20%	align=center	3.5%
Rasmussen Reports	May 24, 2010	align=center	37%	align=center	34%	align=center	12%	align=center	17%	align=center	4.5%
Humphrey Institute / MPR	May 13–16, 2010	align="center"	32%	28%	11%	29%	5.8%
Survey USA	May 3–5, 2010	align=center	42%	31%	10%	align=center	16%	align=center	4.1%
Rasmussen Reports	March 10, 2010	align="center"	37%	28%	8%	align=center	26%	align=center	3%

With Kelliher

width='170'	Poll source	width='130'	Dates administered	width='120'	Tom Emmer (R)	width='150'	Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL)	width='130'	Tom Horner (I)	width='100'	Undecided	width='100'	Sampling error
Survey USA	August 2–4, 2010	align=center	33%	align=center	39%	align=center	12%	align=center	17%	align=center	2.7%
Minnesota Poll	align=center	July 26–29, 2010	align=center	29%	align=center	38%	align=center	13%	align=center	18%	align=center	4.3%
Rasmussen Reports	align=center	July 19, 2010	align=center	35%	align=center	40%	align=center	11%	align=center	14%	align=center	4.5%
Survey USA	June 14–16, 2010	align=center	35%	align=center	33%	align=center	12%	align=center	21%	align=center	2.5%
Decision Resources, Ltd.	May 28 – June 2, 2010	align=center	28%	align=center	38%	align=center	17%	align=center	17%	align=center	3.5%
Rasmussen Reports	May 24, 2010	align=center	38%	align=center	36%	align=center	11%	align=center	15%	align=center	4.5%
Humphrey Institute / MPR	May 13–16, 2010	align="center"	32%	29%	10%	30%	5.8%
Survey USA	May 3–5, 2010	align=center	41%	33%	9%	align=center	17%	align=center	4.1%
Rasmussen Reports	March 10, 2010	align=center	37%	34%	8%	align=center	19%	align=center	3%

With Pawlenty

With Emmer

With Seifert

With Coleman

Results

thumb|right|200px|County Results for the Independence Party:

Certified Results After Recount

The recount was carried out by the Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, as part of a State Canvassing Board, which consists of the secretary of state, two justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court, and two judges of a Minnesota district court.^[79] The vote totals were not changed, and Dayton was declared the governor-elect.

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Clearwater (Largest city: Bagley)
• Grant (Largest city: Elbow Lake)
• Pennington (Largest city: Thief River Falls)
• Lincoln (largest city: Tyler)
• Pine (largest city: Pine City)
• Fillmore (largest city: Spring Valley)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Clay (Largest city: Moorhead)
• Nicollet (Largest city: North Mankato)

External links

• Complete Set of 2010 Minnesota Governor Polling Data and Interactive Graph
• Minnesota Secretary of State – Elections & Voting
• Minnesota State Offices at Project Vote Smart
• Campaign contributions for 2010 Minnesota Governor from Follow the Money
• 2010 Minnesota Gubernatorial Primary Election Matchups graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
• Election 2010: Minnesota Governor from Rasmussen Reports
• 2010 Minnesota Governor – Emmer vs. Dayton vs. Horner from Real Clear Politics
• 2010 Minnesota Governor's Race from CQ Politics
• 2010 MN Governor's Race from Politics in Minnesota
• Race Profile in The New York Times
• State Elections at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Official campaign websites (Archived)

• Mark Dayton for Governor (DFL)
• Margaret Anderson Kelliher for Governor (DFL)
• Tom Horner for Governor (IP)
• Tom Emmer for Governor (R)
• Ken Pentel for Governor (EDP)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Democrat Dayton wins Minnesota Gov. recount. cnn.com. 4 April 2018. 4 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200304070153/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/04/democrat-dayton-wins-minnesota-gov-recount/. dead.
2. News: Minnesota Election Results. The New York Times.
3. Web site: Kessler . Pat . Pawlenty Won't Seek 3rd Term, So What's Next? . WCCO . June 2, 2009 . 2010-11-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100428001134/http://wcco.com/politics/tim.pawlenty.minnesota.2.1027979.html . April 28, 2010 .
4. Web site: Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, Star Tribune . Seifert is top GOP pick for governor in straw poll . StarTribune.com . 2009-10-03 . 2010-05-04.
5. Web site: KSTP TV – Minneapolis and St. Paul – Seifert Wins GOP Straw Poll . Kstp.com . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091005084552/http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1173663.shtml?cat=1 . 2009-10-05 . dead .
6. Web site: » Caucus night: Seifert wins; Kelliher, Rybak too close to call . 3 February 2010 . Politicsinminnesota.com . 2010-05-04.
7. Web site: GOP gov hopefuls Seifert and Emmer take neck-and-neck race to convention delegates . 2010-04-28 . 2010-05-04.
8. Web site: GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer picks Met Council member Annette Meeks as his running mate . 27 April 2010 . TwinCities.com . 2010-05-04.
9. Web site: Star Tribune . Elections.startribune.com . 2010-11-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716132016/http://elections.startribune.com/returns/mgovsm.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU . 2011-07-16 . dead .
10. Web site: Field of gubernatorial candidates continues to grow . Tim Pugmire. Minnesota Public Radio. 2010-01-11 . 2010-05-04.
11. Web site: News Release . Republicancontract.com . 2010-04-25 . 2010-08-21.
12. Web site: Leslie Davis for Governor Minnesota . Lesliedavis.org . 2009-06-30 . 2010-05-04.
13. News: GOP Plans Gubernatorial Straw Poll . Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 2009-07-18 .
14. Web site: Rep. Tom Emmer joins governor's race. Minnesota Public Radio. 2009-07-06. 2010-06-30. Tim Nelson.
15. Web site: My Lt Governor is Elvis. 19 May 2010. wordpress.com. 4 April 2018.
16. Web site: Twin Cities, MN | Anderson out of gov's race, says Coleman a factor . https://archive.today/20130127013421/http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=836044&catid=14 . dead . 2013-01-27 . kare11.com . 2010-05-04 .
17. Web site: Twin Cities, MN | former Minn. GOP lawmaker to run for governor . https://archive.today/20130127021317/http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=768790&catid=14 . dead . 2013-01-27 . kare11.com . 2010-05-04 .
18. Web site: Associated Press . Hann drops out of Minn. governor's race . StarTribune.com . 2010-02-16 . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100221052938/http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/84472182.html . 2010-02-21 . dead .
19. Web site: Principal Campaign Committee Registration Information . Cfboard.state.mn.us . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100515080659/http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/campfin/rpdetail/rp16890.html . 2010-05-15 . dead .
20. Web site: Republican Jungbauer drops run for Minn. governor | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ . Minnesota.publicradio.org . 2009-11-11 . 2010-05-04.
21. Web site: Republican Kohls Suspends Campaign For MN Governor . WCCO . 2009-10-29 . 2010-05-04.
22. Web site: Kevin Duchschere, Star Tribune . Seifert brings his farming roots into governor's race . StarTribune.com . 2009-07-07 . 2010-05-04 .
23. Web site: Coleman comments on gov run | Polinaut . Minnesota Public Radio . 2009-06-04 . 2010-05-04.
24. Web site: Norm Coleman ponders 2010 gubernatorial run | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ . Minnesota.publicradio.org . 2009-10-03 . 2010-05-04.
25. Web site: Latest Minnesota news, sports, business and entertainment:... . KXMC .
26. Web site: As a gay candidate for governor, Paul Koering says he has no party support. 2009-08-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20090815184252/http://www.minnpost.com/douggrow/2009/08/12/10846/as_a_gay_candidate_for_governor_paul_koering_says_he_has_no_party_support. 2009-08-15. dead.
27. Web site: Ramstad says he won't run for Minn. governor. July 14, 2009. July 14, 2009. Star Tribune.
28. Web site: At The Capitol / Sullivan not running for governor in 2010 . 11 June 2009 . TwinCities.com . 2010-05-04.
29. Web site: Steve Sviggum interested in running for governor. June 3, 2009. July 5, 2009. Rochester Post-Bulletin. https://web.archive.org/web/20110715105948/http://development.postbulletin.com/blogs/breaking_news/2009/06/03/steve-sviggum-of-kenyon-says-hes-interested-in-running-for-governor/. July 15, 2011. dead. mdy-all.
30. Web site: Stassen . Rachel E. . GOP's Charlie Weaver opts out of governor's race . StarTribune.com . 2009-11-23 . 2010-05-04 . 2011-04-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110411000315/http://www.startribune.com/blogs/71589792.html . dead .
31. Web site: Preference Ballot for Governor: Unofficial results:Results Statewide for Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. Minnesota Secretary of State. 2010-02-03.
32. News: Caucus night: Seifert wins GOP poll, DFLers vote Rybak . . 2010-02-03 . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100330033635/http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/83411252.html . 2010-03-30 . dead .
33. Web site: Steve Perry . Ballot by ballot results . . 2010-02-03 . 2010-05-04.
34. Web site: Kelliher takes a calculated risk with choice of John Gunyou as running mate. 2010-05-21. 2010-05-22. MinnPost. Doug Grow. https://web.archive.org/web/20100524021911/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/05/21/18398/kelliher_takes_a_calculated_risk_with_choice_of_john_gunyou_as_running_mate. 2010-05-24. dead.
35. Web site: Dayton picks state Sen. Prettner Solon as running mate . Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ . 2010-05-24 . 2010-08-21.
36. Web site: Entenza chooses Robinson as his running mate . . 2010-05-27 . 2010-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100530054037/http://www.startribune.com/local/95020199.html . 2010-05-30 . dead .
37. Web site: AP: Dayton Wins DFL Nomination For Governor . WCCO . 2010-08-11 . 2010-11-04.
38. Web site: DFL formally endorses Dayton; candidate gives them red meat before annual barbecue . MinnPost . 2010-11-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100908220045/http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/08/21/20781/dfl_formally_endorses_dayton_candidate_gives_them_red_meat_before_annual_barbecue . 2010-09-08 . dead .
39. Web site: Former U.S. Senator Dayton Running For Governor . Keyc.com . 2009-07-31 . 2010-05-04 .
40. News: Patricia . Lopez . Entenza announces bid for Governor in '10 . . 2009-04-23 . 2010-05-04.
41. http://www.politicsinminnesota.com/2009/jul28/3511/what-makes-them-run-bakk-says-reviving-minnesota-economy-job-one
42. Web site: Mannix . Andy . Susan Gaertner drops out of governor race . Blogs.citypages.com . 2010-04-26 . 2010-05-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100505073604/http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2010/04/susan_gaertner.php . 2010-05-05 .
43. Web site: Suburban lawmaker Hann wants to be Minn. governor . Minneapolis Star Tribune .
44. Web site: DFLer Steve Kelley drops out of Minn. gov race . Minnesota Public radio NewsQ . 2010-02-04 . 2010-05-04.
45. Web site: 2010-03-31. Marty picks running mate: state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray. 2010-07-20. MinnPost. 2010-07-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20100714200232/http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/03/31/17033/marty_picks_running_mate_state_sen_patricia_torres_ray. dead.
46. Web site: Star Tribune . Thissen launches run for governor; Rukavina explores run . . 2009-07-23 . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090726130342/http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/51481632.html . 2009-07-26 . dead .
47. Web site: Kelliher endorsed: Rybak concedes nomination . Minnpost.com . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100429013252/http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/04/24/17629/kelliher_endorsed_rybak_concedes_nomination . 2010-04-29 . dead .
48. Web site: Star Tribune . Thissen launches run for governor; Rukavina explores run . . 2009-07-23 . 2010-05-04 .
49. Web site: Campbell . Bradley . Chris Coleman will NOT run for Governor – Minneapolis / St. Paul News – The Blotter . Blogs.citypages.com . 2009-10-08 . 2010-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100505154715/http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2009/10/chris_coleman_w.php . 2010-05-05 . dead .
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51. Web site: Mannix . Andy . Tom Horner wins IP endorsement . Blogs.citypages.com . 2010-05-09 . 2010-11-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101102220015/http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2010/05/tom_horner_wins.php . 2010-11-02 .
52. News: Rob Hahn, publisher, joins gov race for Independence Party . Tim Pugmire . January 14, 2010 .
53. News: Tom Horner tops IP gubernatorial field . Bob Von Sternberg . Minneapolis Star Tribune . March 2, 2010 .
54. Web site: Resume and Biography . Community-2.webtv.net . 2010-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120402212953/http://community-2.webtv.net/coralcalcium/BIOGRAPHY . 2012-04-02 . dead .
55. Web site: LeMaster . Gayle-Lynn . 2010-08-10 . 2010-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110128085257/http://gaylelynn.com/ . 2011-01-28 . dead .
56. Web site: Repya turns to fight for IP endorsement in gubernatorial race . 20 January 2010 . Twincities.com . 2010-05-04.
57. Web site: Joe Repya drops out of governor's race . https://archive.today/20130723003355/http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=842612 . dead . 23 July 2013 . kare11.com . 22 February 2010 . 23 July 2013 .
58. Web site: Who's in for 2010: Third party contenders « Minnesota Independent: News. Politics. Media . Minnesotaindependent.com . 2010-05-04.
59. Web site: Who's in for 2010: Third party contenders . Minnesotaindependent.com . 2010-05-04.
60. Web site: MPR-Humphrey Institute poll: Dayton leads DFL race for governor. Minnesota Public Radio. 2010-05-19. 2010-05-27. Mark Zdechlik.
61. Web site: Dayton Starts with Edge in Democratic Primary and Fall Election. Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100617173213/http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/cspg/humphrey_polling/pdf/HHH_MPR_May_GovernorsRace.pdf. 2010-06-17.
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63. Web site: Rasmussen Reports . Rasmussen Reports . 2010-07-19 . 2010-11-04.
64. Web site: 2010 Governors Race Ratings . . October 29, 2010.
65. Web site: Race Ratings Chart: Governor . . October 29, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101005231611/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-governor . October 5, 2010 .
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67. Web site: Stassen-Berger . Rachel . Minnesota Poll . . 2010-08-01 . 2010-11-04 .
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70. Web site: Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, Retrieved, November 3, 2010 . Electionresults.sos.state.mn.us . 1997-02-26 . 2010-11-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101106004226/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0331 . November 6, 2010 .
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74. Web site: 2010 Governors Race Ratings . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028141343/http://cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-10-14_12-35-09.php . dead . October 28, 2010 . . October 28, 2010.
75. Web site: Governor Ratings . . October 28, 2010.
76. Web site: 2010 Governor Races . . October 28, 2010.
77. Web site: THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS . 28 October 2010 . . October 28, 2010.
78. Web site: Race Ratings Chart: Governor . . October 28, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101005231611/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-governor . October 5, 2010 .
79. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/ss/ssrecount.htm Minnesota House of Representatives, Retrieved, November 3, 2010.