The 2000 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 7, 2000, to select a U.S. senator from the state of Minnesota. The race pitted incumbent Republican Senator Rod Grams against former Minnesota State Auditor Mark Dayton. Dayton won with 48.83% of the vote to Grams's 43.29%. Dayton declined to run for reelection in 2006 and ran successfully in 2010 and 2014 for governor of Minnesota. He was succeeded in the Senate by Amy Klobuchar, who has held the seat ever since. Upon Dayton's swearing in, Democrats held both of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats for the first time since 1978. As of 2024, this is the last time that a man won the Class 1 Senate seat in Minnesota.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2000 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1994 November 7, 2000 2006 →

Nominee Mark Dayton Rod Grams James Gibson Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence Popular vote 1,181,553 1,047,474 140,583 Percentage 48.83% 43.29% 5.81%

County results Precinct results Dayton:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Grams:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. senator before election Rod Grams Republican Elected U.S. Senator Mark Dayton Democratic (DFL)

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• Mark Dayton, former Minnesota State Auditor and unsuccessful 1982 nominee for this seat
• Michael V. Ciresi, attorney
• Jerry Janezich, state senator
• Rebecca Yanisch
• Richard "Dick" Franson, city councilman
• Oloveuse S. "Ole" Savior, artist and perennial candidate.
• Gregg A. Iverson

• 2000 United States Senate elections