Closest U.S. Senate elections in Minnesota
The closest U.S. Senate election in Minnesota history was in 2008, a margin of 0.01 points. Al Franken beat Norm Coleman, 1,212,629 to 1,212,317. Next closest are 1924 (0.95 points) and 1930 (1.5 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Minnesota has held, special elections included, see the Minnesota U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Minnesota history?
The Minnesota Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 2008, 0.01 points. Al Franken beat Norm Coleman, 1,212,629 to 1,212,317. The next closest were 1924 (0.95 points) and 1930 (1.5 points).
How is the margin measured?
As the gap in vote share between the first and second-place finishers, from the certified general-election count. It is not adjusted for recounts, runoffs or later court rulings; the figure is the result as certified.
Does this include special elections?
No. These are the regular general elections for Minnesota’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Minnesota Senate hub, which lists every race including specials, and in a few states one of those is closer than anything here.
Why does the list start in 1914?
Because senators were chosen by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment. 1914 is the first cycle of the popular-vote era for the Senate, so it is the first Minnesota election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008 | Al Franken D def. Norm Coleman R | 1,212,629 – 1,212,317 | 0.01 points |
| 2 | 1924 | Thomas D. Schull R def. Magnus Johnson F | 388,594 – 380,646 | 0.95 points |
| 3 | 1930 | Thomas D. Schall R def. Einar Hoidale D | 293,626 – 282,018 | 1.5 points |
| 4 | 2002 | Norm Coleman R def. Walter Mondale D | 1,116,697 – 1,067,246 | 2.2 points |
| 5 | 1990 | Paul David Wellstone D def. Rudy Boschwitz R | 911,999 – 864,375 | 2.6 points |
| 6 | 1994 | Rod Grams R def. Ann Wynia D | 869,653 – 781,860 | 4.9 points |
| 7 | 2020 | Tina Smith D def. Jason Lewis R | 1,566,522 – 1,398,145 | 5.2 points |
| 8 | 2000 | Mark Dayton D def. Rod Grams R | 1,181,553 – 1,047,474 | 5.5 points |
| 9 | 1982 | David Durenberger R def. Mark Dayton D | 949,207 – 840,401 | 6.0 points |
| 10 | 1958 | Eugene J. McCarthy F def. Edward J. Thye R | 608,847 – 535,629 | 6.4 points |
| 11 | 1966 | Walter Mondale D def. Robert A. Forsythe R | 685,840 – 574,868 | 8.7 points |
| 12 | 1996 | Paul David Wellstone D def. Rudy Boschwitz R | 1,098,430 – 901,194 | 9.0 points |
| 13 | 2014 | Al Franken D def. Mike McFadden R | 1,053,205 – 850,227 | 10.2 points |
| 14 | 1922 | Henrik Shipstead F def. Frank B. Kellogg R | 325,372 – 241,833 | 12.1 points |
| 15 | 1972 | Walter Mondale F def. Phil Hansen R | 981,320 – 742,121 | 13.8 points |
| 16 | 1952 | Edward J. Thye R def. William E. Carlson F | 785,649 – 590,011 | 14.1 points |
| 17 | 1954 | Hubert Humphrey D def. Val Bjornson R | 642,193 – 479,619 | 14.3 points |
| 18 | 1988 | David Durenberger R def. Hubert H. Skip Humphrey III D | 1,176,210 – 856,694 | 15.3 points |
| 19 | 1960 | Hubert Humphrey D def. P. Kenneth Peterson R | 884,168 – 648,586 | 15.3 points |
| 20 | 2024 | Amy Klobuchar D def. Royce White R | 1,792,441 – 1,291,712 | 15.7 points |
| 21 | 1970 | Hubert Humphrey D def. Clark McGregor R | 788,256 – 568,025 | 16.1 points |
| 22 | 1978 | Rudolph E. Boschwitz R def. Wendell Anderson D | 894,092 – 638,375 | 16.2 points |
| 23 | 1984 | Rudy Boschwitz R def. Joan Anderson Growe D | 1,199,926 – 852,844 | 16.8 points |
| 24 | 1916 | Frank B. Kellogg R def. Daniel W. Lawler D | 185,159 – 117,541 | 17.7 points |
| 25 | 1942 | Joseph H. Ball R def. Elmer A. Benson F | 356,297 – 213,995 | 18.8 points |