The 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, in the midst of that year's Republican Revolution. Incumbent Republican Arne Carlson easily won re-election over Democrat–Farmer–Labor state senator John Marty. To date, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Hennepin and Ramsey counties voted for the Republican candidate. This was the first time since 1950 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Minnesota was re-elected or won re-election. It is also the most recent time that a Republican has been elected with a majority of the votes.

Republican Party

While incumbent Arne Carlson was popular in the state, he was not popular with rank-and-file Republicans, who viewed his victory in 1990 as an accident, as he was chosen as a replacement nominee shortly before the general election. Carlson, who was pro-choice and in favor of extending civil rights to homosexuals, was seen as too moderate by delegates to the GOP state convention, who ultimately chose former state representative Allen Quist, a staunch conservative, as their nominee. Ultimately, though, Carlson easily defeated Quist in the state primary, putting himself on the ballot for November.

Candidates

Primary results

[[File:1994 Minnesota gubernatorial Republican primary results by county.svg|thumb|260px|Republican primary results by county {{legend|#e27f7f|Carlson}} {{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend|#FF9A50|Quist}} {{legend|#FF9A50|50–60%}} {{legend|#EE8E50|60–70%}} {{legend|#D69850|70–80%}}

Democratic Party

At the DFL convention, Marty received the party endorsement, beating back a strong challenge by three opponents, one of whom Mike Freeman, son of a popular former governor withdrew, but Marty still faced a strong challenge from former Minneapolis Chief of Police Tony Bouza. Bouza faded, however, when it was revealed that he supported severe restrictions on handguns. Marty ultimately won a narrow victory in the primary over former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch, who lost his second consecutive gubernatorial primary.

Candidates

Withdrew

Primary results

[[File:1994 Minnesota gubernatorial Democratic primary results by county.svg|thumb|260px|Democratic primary results by county {{legend|#7996e2|Marty}} {{legend|#bdd3ff|30–40%}} {{legend|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend|#5bc75b|Hatch}} {{legend|#aae5aa|30–40%}} {{legend|#87de87|40–50%}} {{legend|#5bc75b|50–60%}} {{legend|#41b742|60–70%}}

General election

Campaign

The 1994 election nationwide was noted for a GOP wave of election victories. In Minnesota, that wave wasn't as evident, as half of the statewide elections went for each party. The GOP won the governorship and U.S. Senator positions, and the DFL won the State Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer positions. Additionally, the Minnesota State House remained in DFL control by a 72–64 margin. The results of the gubernatorial general election were: Arne Carlson 1,094,165, John Marty 589,344, Will Shetterly 20,785, Jon Hillson 3,022, Eric Arthur Olson 15,467, Leslie Davis 4,611.

Candidates

Polling

Debate

Results