1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election

1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1994 November 3, 1998 2002 →

Nominee Jesse Ventura Norm Coleman Skip Humphrey Party Reform Republican Democratic (DFL) Running mate Mae Schunk Gen Olson Roger Moe Popular vote 773,713 717,350 587,528 Percentage 36.99% 34.29% 28.09%

County results Precinct results Ventura:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Coleman:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Humphrey:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Other:      40–50%      60–70% Tie:      30–40%      40–50%      50%      No votes

Governor before election Arne Carlson Republican Elected Governor Jesse Ventura Reform

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v t e

The 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Reform Party candidate Jesse Ventura, the former mayor of Brooklyn Park and a former professional wrestler, won office, defeating Republican St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman and DFL state attorney general Skip Humphrey. He succeeded Republican incumbent Arne Carlson. Ventura's victory as a third-party candidate was considered a historic major upset.^[1]

As of 2025, the election marks the only time a Reform Party candidate won a major government office. It also remains the last time a third-party candidate won any statewide election in Minnesota. Ventura's vote share of 36.99% is the lowest for a Minnesota gubernatorial election winner since 1890.