2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota

none December 2022 March 2026 December 2017 2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota Minnesota 1983 presidential no 2006 United States Senate election in Minnesota 2006 2018 United States Senate election in Minnesota 2018 November 6, 2012 150x150px File:Amy Klobuchar, official portrait, 113th Congress (cropped 2).jpg Amy Klobuchar Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 1,854,595 65.23% Kurt Bills (cropped).jpg Kurt Bills Republican Party (United States) 867,874 30.53% 280px County results 280px Congressional district results 280px Precinct results 1 270px Klobuchar: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Bills: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Tie: #d2b1d9 40–50% #ae8bb1 50% #808080 No votes U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Amy Klobuchar Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party The 2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the U.S. presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic–Farmer–Labor U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar faced Republican State Representative Kurt Bills. Klobuchar was reelected in a landslide, defeating Bills by a greater than 2-to-1 margin and carrying all but two of the state's 87 counties by double digits, only narrowly losing the counties of Pipestone and Rock in the state's southwest corner.https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/2011/us-senator-2012-map-margin-by-county.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20190211024311/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/2011/us-senator-2012-map-margin-by-county.pdf dead 2012 General Election for U.S. Senator February 11, 2019 This was the first time since 1996 that an incumbent Democratic senator was reelected, and the first time since 1976 that an incumbent Democratic senator was reelected to this seat. Background Incumbent Amy Klobuchar was first elected in 2006 to succeed retiring DFL incumbent Mark Dayton. She beat Republican nominee Mark Kennedy, 58% to 38%. Klobuchar served as Minnesota's only senator between January 3 and July 7, 2009, due to the contested results of Minnesota's senatorial election held the previous year, finally decided in favor of DFLer Al Franken. DFL primary The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party held its Senate primary on August 14, 2012.http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=239 Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State : Important General Election Dates June 20, 2012 July 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120713080558/http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=239 dead Candidates Declared Dick Franson, perennial candidatehttp://www.minnpost.com/stories/2011/08/22/30977/gop_ready_to_go_after_sen_klobuchar_but_has_a_problem_no_first-tier_candidate GOP ready to go after Sen. Klobuchar but has a problem: no first-tier candidate August 22, 2011 August 26, 2011 MinnPost.com Doug Grow https://web.archive.org/web/20110919050809/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2011/08/22/30977/gop_ready_to_go_after_sen_klobuchar_but_has_a_problem_no_first-tier_candidate September 19, 2011 dead Amy Klobuchar, incumbent U.S. senator Jack Shepard, dentist, convicted felon, fugitive and perennial candidatehttps://www.minnpost.com/political-agenda/2012/06/convicted-felon-jack-shepard-exiled-italy-files-again-run-us-senate Convicted felon Jack Shepard, exiled in Italy, files again to run for U.S. Senate MinnPost June 1, 2012 July 24, 2014https://www.minnpost.com/political-agenda/2012/06/fugitive-us-senate-candidate-shepard-sues-huffington-post-says-hes-not-arso Fugitive U.S. Senate candidate Shepard sues Huffington Post, says he's not an arsonist MinnPost June 27, 2012 July 24, 2014 Darryl Stanton Results Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary resultshttp://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ENR/Results/FederalResults/2?id=office&officeInElectionId=2 Statewide Results for U.S. Senator August 15, 2012 August 15, 2012 Minnesota Secretary of State https://web.archive.org/web/20120824133126/https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ENR/Results/FederalResults/2?id=office&officeInElectionId=2 24 August 2012 Amy Klobuchar (incumbent) Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 183,702 90.79 Dick Franson Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 6,832 3.38 Jack Shepard Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 6,638 3.28 Darryl Stanton Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 5,160 2.55 202,332 100 Republican primary The Republican Party of Minnesota held its nominating convention in May 2012 and its Senate primary on August 14, 2012. Candidates Declared Kurt Bills, state representative; won May 2012 convention nominationhttps://www.startribune.com/bills-wins-gop-nod-for-u-s-senate/152063885/ Bills wins GOP nod for U.S. Senate Star Tribune May 18, 2012 David Carlson, former Marine Corps sergeant; candidate in August 2012 primary Bob Carney Jr., inventor, independent businessman; finished 2nd in 2010 GOP primary for governor of Minnesota, candidate in August 2012 primaryhttps://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-cookie-cutter-gop/154241305/ OPINION EXCHANGE | Minnesota's cookie-cutter GOP Bob Carney Jr Star Tribune May 28, 2012 Withdrew Joe Arwood, St. Bonifacius city councilman; withdrew before May 2012 convention Pete Hegseth, executive director of Vets for Freedom; withdrew after May 2012 convention Anthony Hernandez, former state senate candidate; withdrew before May 2012 convention to run for Congress against Betty McCollum Dan Severson, former state representative; withdrew after May 2012 convention Results thumb|280px|Results by county: #d75d5d Bills #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #37c837 Carlson #87de87 40–50% #5fd35f 50–60% #37c837 60–70% Republican primary results Kurt Bills Republican Party (United States) 63,380 51.12 David Carlson Republican Party (United States) 43,847 35.37 Bob Carney, Jr. Republican Party (United States) 16,755 13.51 123,982 100 Independence primary Campaign The Independence Party of Minnesota did not plan to run a candidate in the general election. Party chairman Mark Jenkins said in November 2011 that he saw the Senate election as "a distraction from having our best and brightest engaged in state legislative races".http://realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2011/Nov/12/minn__independence_party_not_in_2012_senate_race.html Minn. Independence Party not in 2012 Senate race Real Clear Politics November 12, 2011 November 15, 2011 At the party's convention in June 2012, neither candidate was endorsed. Williams won a majority of the votes and came within two votes of the required 60% needed for the party's endorsement. He proceeded with his Senate campaign but the party focused on state legislative races.http://politicsinminnesota.com/2012/06/independence-party-stays-out-of-u-s-senate-race-opposes-constitutional-amendments/ Independence Party stays out of U.S. Senate race, opposes constitutional amendments Politics in Minnesota June 25, 2011 July 17, 2011 Candidates Glen R. Anderson Menze, accountant and Republican nominee in 2008 and Independence Party nominee in 2010 for the 7th congressional districthttp://www.startribune.com/politics/157522205.html Minn. 3rd party gets contested Senate primary June 6, 2012 June 11, 2012 Associated Press Star Tribune Patrick Condon April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Stephen Williams, farmer and Independence Party endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 Results Independence Party primary results Stephen Williams Independence Party of Minnesota 3,068 59.67 Glen R. Anderson Menze Independence Party of Minnesota 2,074 40.33 5,142 100 General election Candidates Kurt Bills (Republican), state representative Michael Cavlan (Minnesota Open Progressives), registered nurse Tim Davis (Grassroots), environmental activist Amy Klobuchar (DFL), incumbent U.S. senator Stephen WilliamsStephen Williams https://web.archive.org/web/20121109154656/http://www.prairiefireusa.com/ November 9, 2012 (Independence), farmer Debates On August 29, Klobuchar and Bills held their second debate at the State Fair, sponsored by MPR News. Their third debate, on September 16 in Duluth, was about the nation's struggle with deficit spending and unemployment. The audience was assembled by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and Duluth News Tribune.https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/09/18/klobuchar-bills-debate-unemployment-deficit Klobuchar, Bills debate unemployment, deficit MPR News September 18, 2012 External links Complete video at Minnesota Public Radio, second debate, August 29, 2012 Audio from Minnesota Public Radio, third debate, September 18, 2012 Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt Current throughAmy Klobuchar (DFL) $6,301,413 $2,530,567 $5,393,798 $0 July 25, 2012Kurt Bills (R) $394,547 $388,720 $5,841 $0 July 25, 2012 Source: Federal Election Commissionhttps://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/srssea.shtml Federal Election Commission July 25, 2012 October 6, 2012 Summary Reports Search https://web.archive.org/web/20081006100202/http://fec.gov/finance/disclosure/srssea.shtml October 6, 2008 dead Top contributors This section lists the top contributors by employer. These organizations themselves did not donate, but these numbers include donations from their PACs, members, employees, owners, and their immediate families. Amy Klobuchar Contribution Kurt Bills Contribution Dorsey & Whitney $61,100 Liberty PAC $10,000 Target Corp $56,050 Craw $10,000 General Mills $51,750 Primera Technology $10,000 U.S. Bancorp $51,139 Minnesota Limited Pipeline $7,500 Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi $49,150 Ameriprise Financial $5,000 Medtronic Inc. $41,025 Bachmann for Congress $5,000 Toys R Us $36,500 Exactdrive $5,000 Leonard, Street & Deinard $34,350 New Spark Holdings $5,000 Comcast Corp $33,623 TACPAC $5,000 Wells Fargo $32,400 Twin City Fan Companies $5,000 Source: OpenSecrets,http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=MNS2 OpenSecrets September 3, 2012 Top Contributors current through: March 9, 2012 Top industries Amy Klobuchar Contribution Kurt Bills Contribution Lawyers/law firms $989,929 Leadership PACs $17,850 Retired $447,082 Republican/Conservative $13,750 Leadership PACs $302,150 Financial institutions $13,250 Lobbyists $282,430 Real Estate $12,550 Financial institutions $269,033 Retired $10,350 Entertainment industry $256,711 Energy industry $10,250 Women's issues $196,866 Electronics manufacturing $10,000 Retail industry $181,850 Misc. business $9,450 Commercial banks $159,139 Manufacturing & distributing $7,850 Pharmaceuticals/health products $149,725 Computers/Internet $7,350 Source: OpenSecrets,http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indus.php?cycle=2012&id=MNS2 OpenSecrets September 3, 2012 October 6, 2012 Top Industries current through: March 9, 2012 Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012 https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139117 The Cook Political Report September 20, 2018 August 29, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035855/https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139117 dead Solid D November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball2012 Senate http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2012-senate/ Sabato's Crystal Ball September 20, 2018 Safe D November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report2012 Senate Ratings http://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2012-senate-ratings-november-2-2012 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report September 20, 2018 Safe D November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/2012_elections_senate_map.html Real Clear Politics September 20, 2018 Safe D November 5, 2012 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) KurtBills (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ±3.1% 55% 29% — 16%Survey USASurvey USA July 17–19, 2012 552 ±4.3% 55% 31% 5% 9%KSTP/Survey USAKSTP/Survey USA https://web.archive.org/web/20120917042007/http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2761923.shtml?cat=89 September 17, 2012 September 6–9, 2012 551 ±4.2% 55% 34% — 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 10–11, 2012 824 ±3.4% 55% 36% — 10%Star Tribune/Mason-DixonStar Tribune/Mason-Dixon September 17–19, 2012 800 ±3.5% 57% 28% 7% 8%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 5–8, 2012 937 ±3.2% 57% 31% — 12%SurveyUSA/KSTPSurveyUSA/KSTP https://web.archive.org/web/20121021034600/http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2803512.shtml October 21, 2012 October 12–14, 2012 550 ±4.2% 58% 30% 5% 7%St. Cloud State U.St. Cloud State U. February 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes October 15–21, 2012 600 ±5% 63% 36% 1% —Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 21, 2012 500 ±4.5% 56% 33% 2% 9%Star Tribune/Mason-DixonStar Tribune/Mason-Dixon October 23–25, 2012 800 ±3.5% 65% 22% — 13%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 26–28, 2012 574 ±4.1% 60% 29% 4% 7%KSTP/SurveyUSAKSTP/SurveyUSA https://web.archive.org/web/20121108042908/http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2823379.shtml November 8, 2012 November 1–3, 2012 556 ±4.2% 60% 30% 3% 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 2–3, 2012 1,164 ±2.9% 62% 32% — 6% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Republican primary Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MicheleBachmann LauraBrod NormColeman ChipCravaack TomEmmer JohnKline ErikPaulsen TimPawlenty Other/UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling December 4–5, 2010 387 ±5.0% 36% 4% 14% 7% 6% 5% 2% 20% 6% General election Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) JoeArwood (R) Other UndecidedSurvey USASurvey USA November 2–6, 2011 543 ±4.3% 56% 22% — 22%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ±2.8% 55% 30% — 15%Survey USASurvey USA January 31 – February 2, 2012 542 ±4.2% 59% 28% — 14%Public Policy Polling May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ±3.1% 56% 29% — 15% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) MicheleBachmann (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling December 4–5, 2010 949 ±3.2% 56% 39% — 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 27–30, 2011 1,179 ±2.9% 57% 37% — 5%Public Policy Polling January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ±2.8% 58% 35% — 7% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) NormColeman (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling December 4–5, 2010 949 ±3.2% 54% 40% — 6%Survey USA November 2–6, 2011 543 ±4.3% 50% 37% — 14% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) TomEmmer (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling December 4–5, 2010 949 ±3.2% 56% 38% — 6% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) PeteHegseth (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ±3.1% 56% 28% — 16% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) AnthonyHernandez (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ±2.8% 55% 29% — 16% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) ErikPaulsen (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling December 4–5, 2010 949 ±3.2% 52% 34% — 14% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) TimPawlenty (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling December 4–5, 2010 949 ±3.2% 53% 43% — 4%Public Policy Polling May 27–30, 2011 1,179 ±2.9% 54% 41% — 5%Survey USA November 2–6, 2011 543 ±4.3% 49% 37% — 14%Public Policy Polling January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ±2.8% 54% 39% — 7% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) DanSeverson (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 27–30, 2011 1,179 ±2.9% 56% 28% — 16%Survey USA November 2–6, 2011 543 ±4.3% 55% 23% — 22%Public Policy Polling January 21–22, 2012 1,236 ±2.8% 55% 32% — 13%Survey USA January 31 – February 2, 2012 542 ±4.3% 56% 29% — 15%Public Policy Polling May 31 – June 3, 2012 973 ±3.1% 55% 27% — 19% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AmyKlobuchar (DFL) DaveThompson (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 27–30, 2011 1,179 ±2.9% 55% 28% — 17% Results United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2012https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/2012-general-election-results/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160429131838/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/2012-general-election-results/ dead 2012 General Election Results April 29, 2016 Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Amy Klobuchar (incumbent) 1,854,595 65.23% +7.17% Republican Party of Minnesota Kurt Bills 867,974 30.53% -7.41% Independence Party of Minnesota Stephen Williams 73,539 2.59% -0.64% Grassroots Party Tim Davis 30,531 1.07% N/A Open Progressives Michael Cavlan 13,986 0.49% N/A 2,582 0.09% +0.05% 2,843,207 100.00% N/A Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Carver (largest city: Chaska) Redwood (largest city: Redwood Falls) Wright (largest city: Otsego) Sherburne (largest city: Elk River) Otter Tail (largest city: Fergus Falls) Wadena (largest city: Wadena) By congressional district Klobuchar won all eight congressional districts, including three held by Republicans.https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20121106 Home - Election Results District Klobuchar Bills RepresentativeMinnesota 1 1st 62% 32%Tim WalzMinnesota 2 2nd 62% 34%John KlineMinnesota 3 3rd63% 34%Erik PaulsenMinnesota 4 4th71% 25%Betty McCollumMinnesota 5 5th79% 17%Keith EllisonMinnesota 6 6th 59% 37%Michele BachmannMinnesota 7 7th 61% 34%Collin PetersonMinnesota 8 8th 65% 31%Rick Nolan See also 2012 United States Senate elections 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota References External links Election Center from the Minnesota Secretary of State Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation Candidate issue positions at On the Issues U.S. Senate election coverage at Minnesota Public Radio Official campaign websites (archived) Kurt Bills for U.S. Senate Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Senate Stephen Williams for U.S. Senate 2012 Minnesota Senate Category:Amy Klobuchar Category:Pete Hegseth