The 1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Rudy Perpich defeated Independent-Republican Party challenger Cal Ludeman. George Latimer unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.

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1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Rudy Perpich Cal Ludeman Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican Running mate Marlene Johnson Dennis W. Schulstad Popular vote 790,138 606,755 Percentage 56.1% 43.1%

County results Perpich:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Ludeman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL) Elected Governor Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL)

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Democrats would not win another gubernatorial election in the state until 2010.

1986 is also the year that the Twin Cities WCCO sportcaster Mark Rosen had a write-in campaign for governor as a morning radio program's publicity stunt.^[1]