1978 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 1978 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. Independent-Republican Party candidate U.S. House Rep Al Quie defeated Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party incumbent Rudy Perpich.

1978 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee Al Quie Rudy Perpich Party Ind.-Republican Democratic (DFL) Running mate Lou Wangberg Alec Olson Popular vote 830,019 718,244 Percentage 52.35% 45.30%

County results Quie:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Perpich:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL) Elected Governor Al Quie Ind.-Republican

Primary elections were held on September 12. Perpich and Quie each won their party's nomination easily over Alice Tripp and Robert W. Johnson, respectively. Richard Pedersen was unopposed for the minor American Party nomination.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Rudy Perpich, incumbent Governor of Minnesota since 1976^[1]
  • Running mate: Alec G. Olson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor since 1976
• Alice Tripp, Belgrade farmer and anti-power line activist^[1]
  • Running mate: Mike Casper, professor of physics

Results

1978 DFL gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Rudy Perpich (incumbent)	390,069	80.04%
	Democratic (DFL)	Alice Tripp	97,247	19.96%
Total votes			487,316	100.00%

Independent-Republican primary

Candidates

• Bob Johnson, former State Representative from St. Paul
  • Running mate: Roger Hanson, former State Senator from Vergas
• Al Quie, U.S. Representative from Dennison
  • Running mate: Lou Wangberg, Bemidji school superintendent

Results

1986 Ind.-Republican gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Ind.-Republican	Al Quie	174,799	83.55%
	Ind.-Republican	Bob Johnson	34,406	16.45%
Total votes			209,205	100.00%

American primary

Candidates

• Richard Pedersen, New Brighton electronics engineer
  • Running mate: Joyce M. Baier, Minneapolis resident

Results

1986 DFL gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	American	Richard Pedersen	4,277	100.00%
Total votes			4,277	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jill Lakowske, Minneapolis resident (Socialist Workers)
  • Marc Shaver, St. Paul steelworker
• Tom McDonald, perennial candidate from Minneapolis (Honest Government)
  • Running mate: Russ Payzant, Minneapolis resident
• Robin E. Miller, Anoka computer analyst (Libertarian)
  • Mary Rosenbauer, Bloomington resident
• Richard Pedersen, New Brighton electronics engineer (American)
  • Running mate: Joyce M. Baier, Minneapolis resident
• Rudy Perpich, incumbent Governor of Minnesota since 1976 (DFL)
  • Running mate: Alec G. Olson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor since 1976
• Edwin Pommerening, Randolph farmer (Savings Account)
  • Robert m. Stegmaier, Lakeville resident
• Al Quie, U.S. Representative from Dennison (Independent-Republican)
  • Running mate: Lou Wangberg, Bemidji school superintendent

Results

1978 Gubernatorial Election, Minnesota

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Ind.-Republican	Al Quie	830,019	52.35%	+22.99%
	Democratic (DFL)	Rudy Perpich (incumbent)	718,244	45.30%	−17.51%
	American	Richard Pedersen	21,058	1.33%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Jill Lakowske	6,287	0.40%	−0.34%
	Independent	Tom McDonald	4,254	0.27%	n/a
	Libertarian	Robin E. Miller	3,689	0.23%	+0.06%
	Independent	Edwin Pommerening	2,043	0.13%	n/a
Majority			111,775	7.05%
Turnout			1,585,594
	Ind.-Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)		Swing