The 1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Wellstone in a tight race. Widely considered an underdog and outspent by a 7-to-1 margin, Wellstone was the only candidate to both defeat an incumbent senator and flip a seat in the 1990 election cycle; he gained national attention after his upset victory. The race was also notable as the first in the history of the U.S. Senate where both major-party candidates were Jewish. Wellstone was re-elected in 1996 in a rematch with Boschwitz.
Background
In 1984, despite Democrat Walter Mondale's narrow victory in the state in the concurrent presidential election, Rudy Boschwitz won reelection to a second term, defeating Democratic challenger Joan Growe 58% to 41%.
The election was held as part of the midterm election cycle of Republican president George H. W. Bush's term.
General election Candidates Russell Bentley, lumberjack and marijuana legalization activist (Grassroots) Rudy Boschwitz, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1979 (Independent-Republican) Paul Wellstone, professor at Carleton College and nominee for Minnesota State Auditor in 1982 (DFL)
Campaign Paul Wellstone was considered to be a longshot candidate, being outspent by a margin of 7-to-1. Wellstone used grassroots campaigning tactics, and quirky campaign ads like "Fast Paul", where he spoke quickly about himself and his platform, and "Looking for Rudy", a two minute ad where he went searching for his opponent Rudy Boschwitz throughout Minnesota.
Debates + 1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota debates Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Rudy Boschwitz Paul Wellstone1 October 14, 1990 KMSP-TVLeague of Women Voters Beverly McKinnell C-SPAN 2 October 18, 1990 Bob Potter C-SPAN
Results
See also 1990 United States Senate elections
References