1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

November 4, 1986

Nominee Rudy Perpich Cal Ludeman Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican Running mate Marlene Johnson Dennis W. Schulstad Popular vote 790,138 606,755 Percentage 56.11% 43.09%

County results Perpich:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Ludeman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL) Elected Governor Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL)

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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. George Latimer unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.

Democrats would not win another gubernatorial election in the state until 2010.

• William T. Heine, St. Paul resident and perennial candidate
  • Running mate: Dale Johnson, St. Paul resident
• George Latimer, mayor of St. 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

• 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.

• 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)^[1]