1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota

The 1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Wellstone in a tight race. Widely considered an underdog and outspent by a 7-to-1 margin, Wellstone was the only candidate to defeat an incumbent senator as well as the only candidate to flip a seat in the 1990 election cycle and gained national attention after his upset victory. The race was also notable as the first in the history of the U.S. Senate where both major-party candidates were Jewish.

1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Paul Wellstone Rudy Boschwitz
Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican
Popular vote 911,999 864,375
Percentage 50.49% 47.86%

County results
Wellstone:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Boschwitz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Rudy Boschwitz
Ind.-Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Paul Wellstone
Democratic (DFL)

General Election

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Major Candidates

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Campaign

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Paul Wellstone was considered to be a longshot candidate, being outspent by a margin of 7-to-1. Wellstone used grassroots campaigning tactics, and quirky campaign ads like "Fast Paul",[1] where he spoke quickly about himself and his platform, and "Looking for Rudy",[2] a two minute ad where he went searching for his opponent Rudy Boschwitz throughout Minnesota.

Results

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General election results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Paul Wellstone 911,999 50.49%
Ind.-Republican Rudy Boschwitz (incumbent) 864,375 47.86%
Grassroots Russell B. Bentley[4] 29,820 1.65%
Total votes 1,806,194 100.00%
Democratic (DFL) gain from Ind.-Republican

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Paul Wellstone TV Ad "Fast Paul", retrieved January 1, 2023
  2. ^ North Woods Advertising - "Looking for Rudy" - Paul Wellstone for U.S. Senate (MN), retrieved January 1, 2023
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990".
  4. ^ The Bizarre Story of How a Hardcore Texas Leftist Became a Frontline Putin Propagandist, Tim Dickinson Rolling Stone, March 3, 2022 (archive)