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Legislative Election Recounts

Librarians add information to the records of legislators with election recounts as we learn of them. For background on the circumstances triggering a recount, see the House of Representatives Research Department report, Recounts: Federal, State, and Judicial Offices. This list is not complete. Please report any additions or errors to the library staff

80 Records
Election DateDistrictWho Won?BodyNotes
11/6/201220Dahle, Kevin L. Senate His margin of victory over Mike Dudley was only 78 votes so so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 71 votes,
11/6/201208BFranson, Mary House Her margin of victory over Bob Cunniff was only one vote so an automatic recount occurred. Her lead increased by 11 votes after 35 ballots were randomly discarded as a result of a judge's order due to errors in three precincts. After the recount she was declared the winner by 12 votes.
11/2/201015BBanaian, King House His margin of victory over Carol Lewis was only 10 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 13 votes.
11/2/201001BKiel, Debra House Her margin of victory over Bernie Lieder was only 131 votes. Bernie Lieder declined to seek a recount.
11/2/201027AMurray, Rich House His margin of victory over Robin Brown was only 57 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 57 votes.
11/2/201025BWoodard, Kelby G. House His margin of victory over David Bly was only 31 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 37 votes.
11/4/200812BDoty, Al House His margin of victory over Mike LeMieur was only 76 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 76 votes.
11/4/200816Fobbe, Lisa A. Senate Her margin of victory over Alison Krueger was only 85 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 85 votes. She won the special election called after Betsy Wergin resigned.
11/4/200816AJackson, Gail Kulick House Her margin of victory over Sondra Erickson was only 89 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 87 votes.
11/7/200625BBly, David House His margin of victory over Ray Cox was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 60 votes.
11/7/200653AGardner, Paul House His margin of victory over Phil Krinkie was only 55 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 51 votes.
11/7/200638AMasin, Sandra House Her margin of victory over Tim Wilkin was only 55 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 57 votes.
11/7/200631BTschumper, Ken House His margin of victory over Greg Davids was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 52 votes.
11/2/200408BSoderstrom, Judy House Her margin of victory over Tim Faust was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 76 votes.
11/5/200225BCox, Raymond House His margin of victory over David Bly was only 20 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 46 votes.
11/5/200212Koering, Paul E. Senate His margin of victory over Don Samuelson was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 138 votes.
11/5/200238McGinn, Michael G. Senate His margin of victory over Deanna Wiener was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 25 votes.
11/5/200227Sparks, Daniel D. Senate His margin of victory over Grace Schwab was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 5 - 7 votes. A court case was filed over the status of ballots that had been burned.
11/7/200057ASlawik, Nora House Her margin of victory over Jim Seifert was only 69 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 79 votes.
11/7/200046AThompson, Mark House His margin of victory over Lynne Osterman was only 67 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 65 votes.
11/7/200051AWesterberg, Andrew House His margin of victory over Chad Hobot was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 78 votes.
11/3/199857ASeifert, Jim House His margin of victory over Nora Slawik was only 275 votes. A recount occurred by Nora Slawik's request. Since it wasn't an automatic recount, she was responsible for paying for it. After the recount he was declared the winner by 298 votes.
11/3/199253BAsch, Marc House His margin of victory over Rep. Don Valento was only 177 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount he was declared the winner by 115 votes.
11/3/199214ADehler, Steve House His margin of victory over Jim Read was only 93 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount he was declared the winner by 98 votes.
11/3/199252BEvans, Geri House Her margin of victory over Rep. Dick Pellow was only 129 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount she was declared the winner by 134 votes.
11/3/199240AMahon, Mark P. House His margin of victory over Rep. Joyce Henry was only 52 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount he was declared the winner by 55 votes.
11/3/199208AMurphy, Mary Catherine House Her margin of victory over Jan Grannes was only 161 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount she was declared the winner by 153 votes.
11/3/199220ANess, Robert House His margin of victory over Nancy Larson was only 86 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount he was declared the winner by 40 votes.
11/3/199224BOstrom, Don House His margin of victory over Rep. Sal Frederick was 44 votes so an automatic recount was triggered. After the recount he was declared the winner by 39 votes.
11/6/199011BBettermann, Hilda House Her margin of victory over Clair L. Nelson was only 27 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 48 votes.
11/6/199014BLourey, Rebecca Jo House Her margin of victory over Douglas W. Carlson was less than 200 votes so an automatic recount should have occurred. However, Douglas W. Carlson waived his right to the recount and she was declared the winner.
11/8/198836BMacklin, William E. House His margin of victory over Rep. Bob Jensen was only 115 votes. Rep. Jenson sought a recount so he was responsible for the cost. After the recount Bill Macklin was declared the winner by 122 votes.
12/22/198616AOmann, Jr., Bernard P. House Initially his opponent, Carl Stich, was declared the winner by 6 votes. After an automatic recount was held, Bernard P. Omann, Jr. was determined to be the winner by 48 votes. He won his father's, Ben P. Omann, seat in the special election called after his father died in November 1986.
11/4/198624ADorn, John W. House His margin of victory over Mark J. Piepho was only 68 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 72 votes.
11/4/198620Frederickson, David J. Senate His margin of victory over Randy P. Kamrath was only 45 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 32 votes.
11/4/198640ATjornhom, Christopher M. House His margin of victory over David Sumnicht was only about 65 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 67 votes.
11/6/198420AAnderson, Glen H. House After the election Bob Brix's margin of victory over Glen H. Anderson was only 55 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount Glen H. Anderson was declared the winner by 27 votes.
11/6/198451ABacklund, Gordon House His margin of victory over Sharon Coleman was only 59 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 54 votes.
11/6/198450AHartinger, John M. House His margin of victory over Ernest Larson was only 100 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 103 votes.
11/6/198446ARest, Ann H. House Her margin of victory over Dorothy I. Hokr was only 60 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 56 votes.
11/2/198264BCohen, Richard J. House His margin of victory over John Drew was only 14 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 118 votes.
11/2/198212BKrueger, Richard House After the election Bruce Liveringhouse's margin of victory over Richard Krueger was only 8 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount Richard Krueger was declared the winner by 85 votes.
11/4/198015BAnderson, Glen H. House His margin of victory over Ray N. Strand was only 21 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 41 votes.
11/7/197801BCorbid, John R. House His margin of victory over Terry Eckstein was approximately 109 votes. Terry Eckstein filed a lawsuit seeking a recount. After the recount John R. Corbid was declared the winner by approximately 119 votes.
11/7/197809AHoberg, Dwaine H. House His margin of victory over David Beauchamp was only 26 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 26 votes.
11/7/197848ANovak, Steven G. House His margin of victory over Gayle Bromander was only 50 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 53 votes.
11/7/197801ANysether, Myron E. House His margin of victory over Art M. Braun was only 38 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 44 votes.
11/7/197836BRees, Tom House His margin of victory over Ted Suss was only 22 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 41 votes.
11/7/197837BSwanson, James C. House His margin of victory over George Evans was only 160 votes. George Evans filed a lawsuit alleging there were errors in the counting of ballots. It's unclear what happened to the lawsuit but James C. Swanson served the entire term.
11/7/197809BValan, Merlyn Orville House His margin of victory over Keith Langseth was only 15 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 11 votes. A recount of the recount occured with the same results.
11/5/197429AEvans, Ronald G. House Ronald G. Evans' margin of victory over David R. Cummiskey was only 74 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 83 votes. David R. Cummiskey declined to file charges over alleged unfair campaign practices related to a misleading letter on his legislative record, mass-mailed during the campaign.
11/5/197438AWilliamson, Bruce D. House Bruce D. Williamson's margin of victory over David Cleary was only 66 votes so an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner.
11/7/197250ABelisle, Jerome J. House His margin of victory over Russell R. Larkin was only 216 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner.
11/7/197211BFjoslien, David O. House His margin of victory over Kenneth L. Borg was only 5 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by an unofficial 132 votes.
11/7/197261Hansen, Melvin E. Senate His margin of victory over Wesley J. Skoglund was only 32 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 28 votes.
11/7/197253AKempe, Raymond J. House His margin of victory over William J. O'Brien was 318 votes. His opponent sought a partial recount but the court denied the request.
11/7/197236Lord, James Frank Senate W.R. "Bill" Glaeser's margin of victory over James "Jim" Frank Lord was approximately 100 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount James "Jim" Frank Lord was declared the winner by 48 votes. Allegations of voter fraud were cited in the aftermath of the recount.
11/7/197241BMcFarlin, Robert J. House His margin of victory over Paul "Pete" R. Petrafeso was only 2 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 21 votes.
11/7/197212AMiller, Melvin J. House His margin of victory over Robert V. Holmen (Listed as Holmes in the Secretary of State's 1972 election results published in the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1973-74. All other sources list Holmen.) was only 20 votes so a recount occurred. Legal papers notifying Miller of the recount lawsuit were given to his 13 year old daughter, he challenged this as being improper. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that it was sufficient in this situation. After the recount he was declared the winner by approximately 43 votes.
11/7/197220APeterson, Harry W. House His margin of victory over Eugene "Gene" Smith was only 162 votes so a recount occurred. Eugene "Gene" Smith stopped the recount before it was finished since he determined it wouldn't change the outcome.
11/7/197220BStanton, Russell P. House His margin of victory over W. Casper Fischer was only 50 votes so a recount occurred. W. Casper Fischer stopped the recount before it was finished since he determined it wouldn't change the outcome.
11/3/197058AWalker, William House His margin of victory over M.K. "Dutch" Cragun was only 11 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by less than 10 votes.
11/6/196212Morlock, Henry J. House His margin of victory over John M. Fitzgerald was only 14 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount the trial court ruled that Fitzgerald had won by 12 votes. Morlock filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court. After reviewing the contested ballots, Morlock was declared the winner by 10 votes.
11/6/195613Kelly, J. J. House His margin of victory over Ralph R. Madden was only 2 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 128 votes.
11/6/195620Klaus, Walter K. House His margin of victory over incumbent Frank Gallagher was only 40 votes; it is unclear whether a recount occurred.
11/3/194259Carr, Homer M. Senate Homer M. Carr's margin of victory over Dwight A. Swanstrom in the 1942 election was only 37 votes, so a recount occurred. After the recount, Homer M. Carr was determined to have won the election by 46 votes.
11/3/194255Newton, Fred Senate Kenneth W. Angstman contested the election of Fred Newton in the 1942 election. Fred Newton was determined to be entitled to the seat. This election was also subject to a recount.
2/20/191943Sullivan, George Henry Senate In the 1918 election, W.W. Wilcox's margin of victory over George Henry Sullivan was 43 votes. A recount occurred and W.W. Wilcox was found to have won by 35 votes. Wilcox was also charged with violations of the fair campaign practices act. After much debate, on January 31, 1919 the Senators declared the seat vacant. A special election was held, which Sullivan won.
11/5/191835Lauderdale, Henry W. House Erling Swenson was originally listed as the winner of the 1918 election by 66 votes. Henry W. Lauderdale contested the election results and a recount occurred. The recount showed that Lauderdale had won by 40 votes. Swenson then contested the election related to charges that Lauderdale had violated the Corrupt Practices Act including charges of paying for votes. After examining the evidence, the House ruled that Lauderdale was entitled to the seat.
11/5/191835Swenson, Erling House Erling Swenson was originally listed as the winner of the 1918 election by 66 votes. Henry W. Lauderdale contested the election results and a recount occurred. The recount showed that Lauderdale had won by 40 votes. Swenson then contested the election related to charges that Lauderdale had violated the Corrupt Practices Act including charges of paying for votes. After examining the evidence, the House ruled that Lauderdale was entitled to the seat.
11/5/191843Wilcox, W. W. Senate His margin of victory over George Henry Sullivan was 43 votes. A recount occurred and W.W. Wilcox was found to have won by 35 votes. Wilcox was also charged with violations of the fair campaign practices act. After much debate, on January 31, 1919 the Senators declared the seat vacant. A new election was held, which Sullivan won.
11/4/189050Bowman, S. C. House Jorgen Jensen's margin of victory over S.C. Bowman was 117 votes. He was sworn in and served. S.C. Bowman contested the seat due to his name being listed on some ballots as S. Bowman rather than S.C. Bowman. The S. Bowman votes had not been added to his total. After a recount that included these votes, Bowman was declared the winner by 52 votes.
11/4/189050Jensen, Jorgen House Jorgen Jensen's margin of victory over S.C. Bowman was 117 votes. He was sworn in and served. S.C. Bowman contested the seat due to his name being listed on some ballots as S. Bowman rather than S.C. Bowman. The S. Bowman votes had not been added to his total. After a recount that included these votes, Bowman was declared the winner by 52 votes.
11/2/188625Akin, Daniel (?) F. Senate D.F. Akin was sworn in and and served until the Minnesota Senate determined that A.H. Truax should have been declared the winner by 1 vote and was entitled to the seat.
11/2/188630Gross, Mathias House Mathias Gross was sworn in and and served until the Minnesota House of Representatives determined, after a recount, that Samuel Prather Snider received 12 votes more than Gross did and was entitled to the seat. The House Committtee on Elections' recount showed that Samuel Prather Snider received 4,694 votes, H.G. Merrill received 4,688, and Mathias Gross received 4,682.
11/2/188630Snider, Samuel Prather House Mathias Gross was sworn in and and served until the Minnesota House of Representatives determined, after a recount, that Samuel Prather Snider received 12 votes more than Gross did and was entitled to the seat. The House Committtee on Elections' recount showed that Samuel Prather Snider received 4,694 votes, H.G. Merrill received 4,688, and Mathias Gross received 4,682.
11/2/188625Truax, Albert H. Senate D.F. Akin was sworn in and and served until the Minnesota Senate determined that A.H. Truax should have been declared the winner by 1 vote and was entitled to the seat.
11/6/186001Kidder, Jefferson Parish House Jefferson P. Kidder won the election by only 2 votes. His election was contested by Andrew Nessell. After a recount the majority determined that a clerical error had been made and Andrew Nessell actually won by 1 vote and was entitled to the seat.
11/6/186001Nessell, Andrew House Jefferson P. Kidder won the election by only 2 votes. His election was contested by Andrew Nessell. After a recount the majority determined that a clerical error had been made and Andrew Nessell actually won by 1 vote and was entitled to the seat.
8/1/184901Wells, James Territorial House His 1849 election was contested by Harley D. White. Wells won the election with a 33 to 29 vote total. However, White claimed six of Wells' votes were cast by people who weren't legal residents of the Territory. The House members ended up with a tie vote on the resolution to deny Wells the seat; so he retained it.
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