The 1996 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic senator Paul Wellstone won re-election to a second term defeating Republican former senator Rudy Boschwitz in a rematch.
Primary elections were held on September 10. Both Wellstone and Boschwitz were easily nominated.
DFL primary
Candidates
Richard Franson, perennial candidate Ed Hansen, nudie film director and editor Ole Savior, perennial candidate Paul Wellstone, incumbent U.S. senator since 1991
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Rudy Boschwitz, former U.S. senator (197991) Bert McKasy, former Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce and state representative from Mendota Heights Monti Moreno, Stillwater businessman and salon owner Stephen Young John J. Zeleniak
Campaign The Minnesota Republican convention declined to endorse a candidate, having deadlocked on fourteen ballots over two days. Although McKasy led on every ballot, he never received more than 56 percent of the delegates' vote. 60 percent was required for an endorsement. The non-endorsement was seen as a victory for Boschwitz, who was better known and more popular among the general Republican electorate.
Results
General election Candidates Dean Barkley, attorney and Independence Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994 (Reform) Rudy Boschwitz, former U.S. Senator (Republican) Roy Ezra Carlton (Libertarian) Tim Davis, marijuana legalization activist (Grassroots) Thomas A. Fiske (Socialist Workers) Howard Hanson (Resource) Steve Johnson (Natural Law) Paul Wellstone, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1991 (DFL)
Predictions SourceRatingAs of The Cook Political Report October 23, 1996
Campaign Wellstone had unseated the two-term senator Boschwitz in the 1990 election. Boschwitz filed for a rematch. He released ads calling Wellstone "embarrassingly liberal" and "Senator Welfare", and accused Wellstone of supporting flag burning, a move some believe backfired. As in 1990, Wellstone had a massive grassroots campaign that inspired college students, poor people and minorities to get involved in politics for the first time. Boschwitz significantly outspent Wellstone on campaign advertising and the race was closely contested, but Wellstone defeated Boschwitz by a nine-point margin in a three-way race. Dean Barkley received 7% of the vote and was appointed by Governor Jesse Ventura to serve the last 60 days of Wellstone's term after Wellstone died in a plane crash 11 days before the 2002 election.
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PaulWellstone (D) RudyBoschwitz (R) DeanBarkley (Rf) UndecidedMason-DixonSeptember 1–3, 1996803 (RV)± 3.5%46%37%4%13%
Wellstone vs. Moreno vs. Barkley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PaulWellstone (D) MonteMoreno (R) DeanBarkley (Rf) UndecidedMason-DixonSeptember 1–3, 1996803 (RV)± 3.5%51%20%6%23%
Wellstone vs. Young vs. Barkley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PaulWellstone (D) SteveYoung (R) DeanBarkley (Rf) UndecidedMason-DixonSeptember 1–3, 1996803 (RV)± 3.5%50%21%5%24%
Debates + 1996 United States Senate election in Minnesota debates Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Republican ReformKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Paul Wellstone Rudy Boschwitz Dean Barkley1 Sep. 16, 1996 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Chris Conangla C-SPAN 2 Oct. 29, 1996 Minnesota League of Women VotersWCCO-TV Virginia Sweeney C-SPAN
Results
See also 1996 United States Senate elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References