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. Saint Paul Mayor George Latimer unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.
This would be the last gubernatorial election won by a Democrat 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 Saint 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
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
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
References