1978 Minnesota Attorney General election

The 1978 Minnesota Attorney General election was held on 7 November 1978 in order to elect the attorney general of Minnesota. Democratic–Farmer–Labor nominee and incumbent attorney general Warren Spannaus defeated Republican nominee and incumbent member of the Minnesota Senate Howard A. Knutson and American Party nominee Arnold P. Olsen.^[1]

1978 Minnesota Attorney General election

← 1974 7 November 1978 1982 →

Nominee Warren Spannaus Howard A. Knutson Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 858,547 612,122 Percentage 55.90% 39.85%

County results Spannaus:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Knutson:      40–50%      50–60%

Attorney General before election Warren Spannaus Democratic (DFL) Elected Attorney General Warren Spannaus Democratic (DFL)

General election

On election day, 7 November 1978, Democratic–Farmer–Labor nominee Warren Spannaus won re-election by a margin of 246,425 votes against his foremost opponent Republican nominee Howard A. Knutson, thereby retaining Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party control over the office of attorney general. Spannaus was sworn in for his third term on 2 January 1979.^[2]

Results

Minnesota Attorney General election, 1978

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Warren Spannaus (incumbent)	858,547	55.90
	Republican	Howard A. Knutson	612,122	39.85
	American	Arnold P. Olsen	65,256	4.25
Total votes			1,535,925	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold