2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

Not to be confused with 2018 United States Senate election in Minnesota.

2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

November 6, 2018
Turnout	63.66%
x150px x150px Nominee Tina Smith Karin Housley Party DFL Republican Popular vote 1,370,540 1,095,777 Percentage 53.0% 42.4%
250px County Results Smith:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70% Housley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election Tina Smith DFL Elected U.S. Senator Tina Smith DFL

The 2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota took place on November 6, 2018, to elect a United States Senator from Minnesota to replace incumbent Democratic Senator Al Franken until the regular expiration of the term on January 3, 2021. Facing multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, Franken announced on December 7, 2017, that he would resign effective January 2, 2018. Governor Mark Dayton appointed his successor, Tina Smith, on December 13, 2017, and she ran in the special election. This election coincided with a regularly scheduled U.S. Senate election for the Class 1 Senate seat, U.S. House elections, a gubernatorial election, State House elections, and other elections.

The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018, and the primary election was held on August 14, 2018. Democratic nominee Tina Smith defeated Republican nominee Karin Housley in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Tina Smith, incumbent U.S. Senator

Eliminated in primary

• Ali Chehem
• Gregg A. Iverson, perennial candidate
• Nick Leonard, attorney and activist
• Richard Painter, University of Minnesota Law School professor and former White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush
• Christopher Lovell Seymore Sr.

Declined

• Keith Ellison, U.S. Representative (running for Minnesota Attorney General)
• Betty McCollum, U.S. Representative (running for reelection)
• Rick Nolan, U.S. Representative (running for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota)
• Collin Peterson, U.S. Representative (running for reelection)
• Patricia Torres Ray, state senator (running for MN-5)
• Tim Walz, U.S. Representative (running for Governor)
• Lori Swanson, Attorney General of Minnesota (running for governor)
• Jake Sullivan, former National Security Adviser to Vice President Joe Biden
• Scott Dibble, state senator
• Melisa Franzen, state senator

Endorsements

Richard Painter
Local and statewide politicians Arne Carlson, former Governor of Minnesota (R-MN) Individuals Rosie O'Donnell, comedian and actress

Results

File:2018 MN US Senate special Democratic primary.svg

Results by county:

Smith

•   80–90%
•   70–80%
•   60–70%
•   50–60%

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	DFL	Tina Smith (incumbent)	433,705	76.06%
	DFL	Richard Painter	78,193	13.71%
	DFL	Ali Chehem Ali	18,897	3.31%
	DFL	Gregg Iverson	17,825	3.13%
	DFL	Nick Leonard	16,529	2.90%
	DFL	Christopher L. Seymore Sr.	5,041	0.88%
Total votes			570,190	100%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Karin Housley, state senator

Eliminated in primary

• Bob Anderson, businessman
• Nikolay Nikolayevich Bey

Declined

• Michele Bachmann, former U.S. Representative
• Christopher Chamberlin (running for MN-05)
• Norm Coleman, former U.S. Senator (endorsed Karin Housley)
• Tom Emmer, U.S. Representative (endorsed Karin Housley)
• Jenifer Loon, state representative (endorsed Karin Housley)
• Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (ran for governor, lost)
• Julie Rosen, Minnesota state senator
• Sarah Anderson, Minnesota state representative
• Michelle Benson, state senator
• Kurt Daudt, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
• Paul Gazelka, Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
• Amy Koch, former Minnesota state senator
• Pete Hegseth, veteran, Fox News Contributor and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012
• Jason Lewis, U.S. Representative
• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow
• Stewart Mills III, businessman and nominee for MN-08 in 2014 and 2016
• Erik Paulsen, U.S. Representative
• Joyce Peppin, Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives

Results

File:2018 MN US Senate special R primary.svg

Results by county:

Housley

•   70–80%
•   60–70%
•   50–60%
•   40–50%

Housley/Anderson tie

•   40–50%

Anderson

•   40–50%
•   50–60%

Republican Party primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Karin Housley	186,384	61.95%
	Republican	Bob Anderson	107,102	35.60%
	Republican	Nikolay Nikolayevich Bey	7,355	2.45%
Total votes			300,861	100%

Minor parties and independents

Candidates

• Jerry Trooien (independent), real estate developer
• Sarah Wellington (Legal Marijuana Now Party)

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Lean D	September 28, 2018
Inside Elections	Likely D	April 9, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Likely D	April 5, 2018
Fox News	Likely D^	July 9, 2018
CNN	Likely D	July 12, 2018
RealClearPolitics	Lean D	August 13, 2018

^Highest rating given

Endorsements

Karin Housley (R)

U.S. Executive Branch officials Donald Trump, President of the United States Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State U.S. Senators Rudy Boschwitz, former U.S. Senator (R-MN) Norm Coleman, former U.S. Senator (R-MN) Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator (R-IA) David Perdue, U.S. Senator (R-GA) Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator (R-FL) U.S. Representatives Tom Emmer, U.S. Representative (R-MN-6) Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Representative (R-GA) and speaker of the House of Representatives State Legislators Andrew Lang, state senator Andrew Mathews, state senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, state senator Bill Weber, state senator Bruce Anderson, state senator Carla Nelson, state senator Carrie Ruud, state senator Dan Hall, state senator David Senjem, state senator Eric Pratt, state senator Gary Dahms, state senator Jeremy Miller, state senator Jerry Relph, state senator Jim Abeler, state senator Julie Rosen, state senator Justin Eichorn, state senator Mark Johnson, state senator Mark Koran, state senator Mary Kiffmeyer, state senator Michelle Benson, state senator Mike Goggin, state senator Paul Utke, state senator Rich Draheim, state senator Roger Chamberlain, state senator Scott Jensen, state senator Scott Newman, state senator Torrey Westrom, state senator Bob Dettmer, state representative Bob Gunther, state representative Bob Loonan, state representative Brian Johnson, state representative Dale Lueck, state representative Dario Anselmo, state representative Dean Urdahl, state representative Deb Kiel, state representative Drew Christensen, state representative Eric Lucero, state representative Jason Rarick, state representative Jeff Howe, state representative Jenifer Loon, state representative Joe Hoppe, state representative Joe McDonald, state representative Joyce Peppin, state representative Kathy Lohmer, state representative Keith Franke, state representative Kelly Fenton, state representative Marion O'Neill, state representative Mary Franson, state representative Nick Zerwas, state representative Nolan West, state representative Pat Garofalo, state representative Ron Kresha, state representative Roz Peterson, state representative Sandy Layman, state representative Sondra Erickson, state representative Tama Theis, state representative Tony Albright, state representative Tony Jurgens, state representative Individuals Phil Housley, professional ice hockey coach and former player Organizations Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life National Right to Life Committee Republican Party of Minnesota Susan B. Anthony List Maggie's List Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police National Cattlemen's Beef Association Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Federation of Independent Business Newspapers Duluth News Tribune Fairmont Sentinel

Tina Smith (D)

Former U.S. Executive Branch officials Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States Joe Biden, 47th Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale, 42nd Vice President of the United States and former U.S. Senator (D-MN) Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State U.S. Senators Dick Durbin, U.S Senator (D-IL) and Senate Minority Whip Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator (D-CA) Maggie Hassan, U.S. Senator (D-NH) Doug Jones, U.S Senator (D-AL) Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator (D-MN) Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator (D-OR) Gary Peters, U.S. Senator (D-MI) Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator (D-HI) Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (D-MA) Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Senator (D-NV) Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator (D-WI) U.S. Representatives Keith Ellison, U.S. Representative (D-MN 5) Betty McCollum, U.S. Representative (D-MN 4) Rick Nolan, U.S. Representative (D-MN 8) Collin Peterson, U.S. Representative (D-MN 7) Tim Walz, U.S. Representative (D-MN 1) Statewide and local politicians Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota Peggy Flanagan, state representative Melvin Carter, Mayor of St. Paul Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles Individuals Cecile Richards, activist Labor unions American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5 Communications Workers of America Education Minnesota Minnesota State AFL–CIO Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council United Automobile Workers United Steelworkers District 11 Organizations Council for a Livable World Emily's List Feminist Majority Political Action Committee Human Rights Campaign League of Conservation Voters Action Fund Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party NARAL Pro-Choice America National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund Population Connection Newspapers and news websites Duluth News Tribune

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of October 17, 2018
Candidate (party)	Total receipts	Total disbursements	Cash on hand
Tina Smith (D)	$8,237,522	$7,308,790	$928,730
Karin Housley (R)	$4,049,032	$3,689,562	$359,470
Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tina Smith (D)	Karin Housley (R)	Sarah Wellington (LMN)	Other	Undecided
Change Research	November 2–4, 2018	953	–	51%	42%	3%	2%	–
Research Co.	November 1–3, 2018	450	± 4.6%	49%	39%	–	2%	10%
SurveyUSA	October 29–31, 2018	600	± 5.3%	48%	40%	–	5%	7%
Mason-Dixon	October 15–17, 2018	800	± 3.5%	47%	41%	1%	1%	10%
Change Research	October 12–13, 2018	1,413	–	46%	43%	5%	2%	2%
Marist College	September 30 – October 4, 2018	637 LV	± 4.9%	54%	38%	–	<1%	7%
		860 RV	± 4.2%	52%	39%	–	<1%	9%
Mason-Dixon	September 10–12, 2018	800	± 3.5%	44%	37%	2%	2%	15%
SurveyUSA	September 6–8, 2018	574	± 4.9%	48%	39%	–	2%	11%
Suffolk University	August 17–20, 2018	500	± 4.4%	44%	37%	2%	0%	18%
Emerson College	August 8–11, 2018	500	± 4.6%	32%	28%	–	–	41%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	876	± 4.0%	49%	35%	–	1%	15%
BK Strategies (R)	June 24–25, 2018	1,574	± 2.5%	48%	39%	–	–	13%

Results

File:USSSE18MN.svg

Results by precinct:

Smith

•      40-50%
•      50-60%
•      60-70%
•      70-80%
•      80-90%
•      90-100%

Housley

•      40-50%
•      50-60%
•      60-70%
•      70-80%
•      80-90%
•      90-100%

No Vote

•      No Vote

United States Senate special election in Minnesota, 2018

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	DFL	Tina Smith (incumbent)	1,370,540	52.97%	-0.18%
	Republican	Karin Housley	1,095,777	42.35%	-0.56%
	LMN	Sarah Wellington	95,614	3.70%	N/A
	Independent	Jerry Trooien	24,324	0.94%	N/A
	Write-in		1,101	0.04%	N/A
Total votes			2,587,356	100.0%	N/A
	DFL hold

Voter demographics

Edison Research exit poll

Demographic subgroup	Smith	Housley	No Answer	% of Voters
Gender
Men	49	49	2	46
Women	61	37	2	54
Age
18–24 years old	70	28	2	6
25–29 years old	55	42	3	5
30–39 years old	60	38	2	12
40–49 years old	51	45	4	13
50–64 years old	53	45	2	29
65 and older	55	44	1	35
Race
White	53	45	2	89
Black	85	12	3	5
Latino	N/A	N/A	N/A	3
Asian	N/A	N/A	N/A	2
Other	N/A	N/A	N/A	2
Race by gender
White men	46	52	2	41
White women	59	40	1	48
Black men	N/A	N/A	N/A	3
Black women	N/A	N/A	N/A	2
Latino men	N/A	N/A	N/A	1
Latino women	N/A	N/A	N/A	1
Others	N/A	N/A	N/A	4
Education
High school or less	56	43	1	17
Some college education	48	48	4	24
Associate degree	47	51	2	17
Bachelor's degree	59	40	1	26
Advanced degree	69	29	2	16
Education and race
White college graduates	62	37	1	38
White no college degree	46	52	2	51
Non-white college graduates	72	28	N/A	4
Non-white no college degree	77	18	5	7
Whites by education and gender
White women with college degrees	68	30	2	21
White women without college degrees	51	46	3	28
White men with college degrees	55	44	1	17
White men without college degrees	40	58	2	23
Non-whites	75	21	4	11
Income
Under $30,000	63	33	4	14
$30,000–49,999	54	43	3	20
$50,000–99,999	49	48	3	36
$100,000–199,999	54	43	3	23
Over $200,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	7
Party ID
Democrats	96	4	N/A	39
Republicans	9	90	1	32
Independents	53	43	4	29
Party by gender
Democratic men	96	4	N/A	14
Democratic women	95	4	1	25
Republican men	7	91	2	15
Republican women	10	89	1	17
Independent men	47	49	4	16
Independent women	60	36	4	13
Ideology
Liberals	93	4	3	27
Moderates	67	31	2	39
Conservatives	11	87	2	33
Marital status
Married	50	48	2	67
Unmarried	65	33	2	33
Gender by marital status
Married men	47	52	1	31
Married women	52	45	3	36
Unmarried men	55	40	5	15
Unmarried women	74	26	N/A	17
First-time midterm election voter
Yes	53	46	1	12
No	58	40	2	88
Most important issue facing the country
Health care	75	23	2	49
Immigration	23	75	2	22
Economy	32	65	3	19
Gun policy	N/A	N/A	N/A	8
Area type
Urban	66	31	3	40
Suburban	52	45	3	32
Rural	42	56	2	28
Source: CNN

See also

• Minnesota elections, 2018

External links

• Elections & Voting - Minnesota Secretary of State
• Candidates at Vote Smart
• Candidates at Ballotpedia
• Campaign finance at FEC
• Campaign finance at Center for Responsive Politics

Official campaign websites

• Karin Housley (R) for Senate
• Tina Smith (D) for Senate
• Jerry Trooien (I) for Senate