2022 Minnesota State Auditor election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2022 Minnesota State Auditor election
| type = presidential
| previous_election = 2018 Minnesota State Auditor election
| previous_year = 2018
| election_date = {{Start date|2022|11|08}}
| next_election = 2026 Minnesota State Auditor election
| next_year = 2026
| country = Minnesota
| flag_year = 1983
| party1 = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| image1 = Julie Blaha.jpg
| image1_size = x150px
| nominee1 = Julie Blaha
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| image2_size = x150px
| nominee2 = Ryan Wilson
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| title = State Auditor
| before_election = Julie Blaha
| before_party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| after_election = Julie Blaha
| after_party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| popular_vote1 = 1,168,185
| percentage1 = 47.47%
| popular_vote2 = 1,159,750
| percentage2 = 47.13%
| map_image = {{Switcher
| 280px
| County results
| 280px
| Congressional district results
| File:2022 Minnesota Auditor election results map by Precinct.svg
| Precinct results
}}
| map_caption = Blaha: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
Wilson: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
}}
{{Elections in Minnesota sidebar}}
The 2022 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the state auditor of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Incumbent DFLer Julie Blaha narrowly won re-election to a second term.
Blaha was challenged by Republican candidate Ryan Wilson, Grassroot–Legalize Cannabis Party candidate Will Finn, and Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Tim Davis.{{Cite web |title=Candidate Filings |url=https://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/CandidateFilingResults.aspx?county=0&municipality=0&schooldistrict=0&hospitaldistrict=0&level=1&party=0&federal=False&judicial=False&executive=True&senate=False&representative=False&title=&office=0&candidateid=0 |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=candidates.sos.state.mn.us}}
This election was the second-closest for Minnesota State Auditor ever, after 1934.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Historical Election Archive |url=https://mn.electionarchives.lib.umn.edu/election/2319341099924600/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Minnesota Historical Election Archive |language=en}}
Background
In Minnesota, the state auditor is charged with supervising and auditing the finances of the state's approximately 4,800 local governments, which altogether tax and spend over $40 billion annually.{{Cite web |url=https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/documents/budget/2020-21-biennial-budget-books/governors-recommendations-february/state-auditor.pdf |title=Office of the State Auditor 2020-21 Biennial Budget Request |publisher=Minnesota Management and Budget |access-date=June 21, 2022}} Likewise, the state auditor performs under contract the annual single audit of nearly $26 billion in federal funds spent by state agencies and their subrecipients.{{Cite web |url=https://www.osa.state.mn.us/media/luiht5m0/2021-state-of-mn-single-audit.pdf |title=2021 Financial and Compliance Report on Federally Assisted Programs |publisher=Minnesota Office of the State Auditor |access-date=August 13, 2022}} The state auditor's authority transcends jurisdictions and applies to all local governments, be they counties, cities, towns, school districts, local pension funds, metropolitan and regional agencies, or myriad special purpose districts, and to every state agency that receives federal financial assistance.{{Cite web |url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/6/full/ |title=Chapter 6., 2022 Minnesota Statutes |publisher=Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes |access-date=June 21, 2022}}
= Nature of the office =
Since the elected constitutional office of state treasurer was eliminated in 2003, and despite the office's importance, the election for state auditor has been considered Minnesota's most "low-key" statewide race.{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=2018-10-31 |title=In low-key state auditor's race, candidates struggle for attention |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/10/31/state-auditor-race-candidates-struggle-for-attention |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=MPR News |language=en}} Auditor races are obscure enough to earn headlines when a "real issue" emerges.{{Cite web |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=2022-09-15 |title=Wait? There's a 'real issue' in the state auditor's race? |url=https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2022/09/wait-theres-a-real-issue-in-the-state-auditors-race/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}} Other analyses suggest that the auditor's office, which has lost half its staff since the 1990s, is Minnesota's "most overlooked and underfunded statewide office."{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=2021-08-14 |title=Julie Blaha brings 'fresh attitude' to building back State Auditor's Office |url=https://www.startribune.com/julie-blaha-brings-fresh-attitude-to-building-back-state-auditor-s-office/600087906/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Star Tribune}}
= Synopsis of incumbent's tenure =
In 2018, Julie Blaha, then secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL–CIO, was elected to replace retiring fellow DFLer Rebecca Otto who unsuccessfully sought the DFL nomination for governor. As state auditor, Blaha was involved in uncovering and investigating a handful of public finance scandals, including an embezzlement scandal in Canton and Whalan and a conflict-of-interest case concerning the mayor of Two Harbors.{{Cite web |last=Turtinen |first=Melissa |date=2022-04-06 |title=Treasurer used city funds to pay bills, fund travel, Minnesota auditor finds |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/treasurer-used-city-funds-to-pay-bills-fund-travel-minnesota-auditor-finds |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=FOX 9 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lovrien |first=Jimmy |date=2022-07-29 |title=State auditor: NE Minnesota mayor may not have disclosed all business interests when they went before city |url=https://www.inforum.com/news/minnesota/state-auditor-ne-minnesota-mayor-may-not-have-disclosed-all-business-interests-when-they-went-before-city |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=InForum |language=en}} Auditor Blaha was also publicly critical of Minnesota's civil asset forfeiture laws, arguing they were needlessly punitive for low-income suspects. She led a push to reform the laws which was ultimately successful in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Stephen |date=2021-07-03 |title=Changes to Minnesota's civil asset forfeiture laws pass Legislature |url=https://www.startribune.com/changes-to-minnesota-s-civil-asset-forfeiture-laws-pass-legislature/600074778/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Star Tribune}}
Candidates
The primary for State Auditor was uncontested.
= Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party =
Julie Blaha, incumbent State Auditor and former secretary-treasurer of the Minnesota AFL–CIO, announced her intention to run for election in November 2021. She won the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party's endorsement unanimously at the party convention in May 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=DFL Party Endorses Julie Blaha for State Auditor |url=https://dfl.org/press-release/dfl-party-endorses-julie-blaha-for-state-auditor/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Minnesota DFL |language=en-US}}
== Nominee ==
- Julie Blaha, incumbent State Auditor{{Cite web |last=Chhith |first=Alex |date=2021-11-16 |title=Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha announces bid for re-election |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-state-auditor-julie-blaha-announces-bid-for-re-election/600117517/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Star Tribune}}
= Republican Party =
Ryan Wilson, an attorney and former founder and CEO of a Minnesota-based clinical trial auditing firm, announced his candidacy in February 2022.{{Cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Stephen |date=2022-01-31 |title=Two GOP candidates launch bids for Minnesota attorney general, state auditor |url=https://www.startribune.com/two-gop-candidates-launch-bids-for-minnesota-attorney-general-state-auditor/600141555/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Star Tribune}} Wilson, of Maple Grove, sought and received the endorsement of the Republican Party of Minnesota in May at the party's state convention.{{Cite web |last=Orrick |first=Dave |date=2022-05-13 |title=MN Republicans endorse Ryan Wilson for state auditor |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/05/13/mn-republicans-endorse-ryan-wilson-for-state-auditor/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Pioneer Press |language=en-US}}
== Nominee ==
= Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis Party =
Kevin Finander, who appeared on ballots under the name Will Finn, was the nominee for the Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis Party. A self-described Libertarian, Finander was the chair of the Minnesota Taxation is Theft political action committee and a member of the South St. Paul library board.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ricardo |date=2022-06-06 |title=To counter GOP meddling, some cannabis activists pushed effort to change party name |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2022/06/06/to-counter-gop-meddling-some-cannabis-activists-pushed-effort-to-change-party-name/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}
== Nominee ==
- Will Finn, Libertarian, member of the South St. Paul library board
= Legal Marijuana Now Party =
Longtime activist and Legal Marijuana Now Party chairman Tim Davis was his party's nominee in 2022. In an interview, Davis acknowledged that Auditor Blaha supported legalizing marijuana, but was committed to running nonetheless, arguing "[DFLers] haven't gotten anything done. We will be running. If we can get candidates, we will run.”{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Tim |date=2022-02-23 |title=Legal cannabis parties weigh election year strategy |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/02/23/legal-cannabis-parties-weigh-election-year-strategy |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=MPR News |language=en}}
== Nominee ==
General election
= Campaign issues =
== Feeding Our Future ==
Feeding Our Future, a now-dissolved Minnesota nonprofit, defrauded the state's USDA-funded school nutrition programs of at least $250 million over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |title=Feeding Our Future, Attorney General Race, Opioid Crisis |url=https://www.tpt.org/almanac/video/feeding-our-future-attorney-general-race-opioid-crisis-39730/ |access-date=October 19, 2022 |publisher=Twin Cities PBS}}{{Cite web |title=Feeding Our Future Fallout, Early Voting, Minneapolis Police Chief |url=https://www.tpt.org/almanac/video/feeding-our-future-fallout-early-voting-mpls-police-chief-39739/ |access-date=October 19, 2022}} On September 20, 2022, the U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced federal charges against 47 former Feeding Our Future employees for their involvement in the nation's largest pandemic-related fraud scheme.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=U.S. Attorney Announces Federal Charges Against 47 Defendants in $250 Million Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-attorney-announces-federal-charges-against-47-defendants-250-million-feeding-our-future |access-date=2022-10-19 |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice}} Republican nominee Ryan Wilson argued that DFL incumbent Auditor Julie Blaha could have minimized the fraud scheme's damage if her office had notified the federal authorities sooner of Feeding Our Future's internal control discrepancies.{{Cite web |title=State Auditor Debate, Campaign News of the Week |url=https://www.tpt.org/almanac/video/state-auditor-debate-campaign-news-of-the-week-39750/ |access-date=October 17, 2022 |publisher=Twin Cities PBS}} Auditor Blaha contended that her office is primarily designed for auditing local governments in Minnesota and that her office had submitted a report to the Minnesota Department of Education which noted that Feeding Our Future had not complied with standard auditing practice.{{Cite web |title=Ryan Wilson Continues to Misrepresent Office of the State Auditor, Misleading Voters |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/618da9557be96d0feb13f4ff/t/6332167b54720330fa9d4567/1664226941611/09.21.2022_Press+Release_+Ryan+Wilson+continues+to+misrepresent+Office+of+the+State+Auditor%2C+misleading+voters.pdf |access-date=October 19, 2022 |publisher=Blaha for State Auditor}}
== ESG investing ==
The Minnesota State Auditor is a member of the State Board of Investment (SBI), which oversees the state's $130 billion investment portfolio. As auditor, Julie Blaha had argued that the state should shift its investing strategies to meet so-called environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) guidelines. Blaha had argued that the state is a "long-term investor" that must focus on the potential long-term impacts of climate change and social inequities to maintain a stable investment portfolio.{{Cite web |last=Medina |first=Regina |date=2022-10-06 |title=Voter guide: See Minnesota auditor candidates' stances on key issues |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/09/18/voter-guide-see-minnesota-auditor-candidates-stances-on-key-issues |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=MPR News |language=en}} Wilson had argued that ESG investment is inherently political and that SBI should prioritize return on investment as a fiduciary over other public policy considerations, arguing Blaha was looking to "play politics" with state pensions.{{Cite web |last=Mulcahy |first=Mike |date=2022-10-21 |title=Meet the candidates for Minnesota state auditor |url=https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2022/10/21/meet-the-candidates-for-minnesota-state-auditor |access-date=October 22, 2022 |publisher=MPR News}}
= Polling =
Graphical summary
{{Graph:Chart|width=700|height=400|xAxisTitle=|yAxisTitle=%support|xAxisAngle=-40|legend=Candidate|interpolate=bundle|size=77|xType=date|y1Title=Blaha|y2Title=Wilson|y3Title=Other/Undecided|y4Title=Davis|y5Title=Finn|type=line|xGrid=|x=2022/09/04, 2022/09/14, 2022/10/03, 2022/10/14, 2022/10/19, 2022/10/30|y1=38, 41.2, 41, 40.4, 40.4, 39|y2=37, 42.3, 38, 39.8, 44.1, 44|y3=26, 10.8, 21, 13.7, 9.5, 14|y4=,4.8,,3.3,3.8|y5=,.9,,2.8,2.2|colors=#0055A5, #E81B23, #DDDDDD, #50C878, #50C878|showSymbols=1|yGrid=true|linewidth=2.0}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
!Poll source !Date(s) administered !Sample size{{efn|Key: !Margin of error ! style="width:100px;" |Julie ! style="width:100px;" |Ryan !Others !Undecided |
| style="text-align:left;"|SurveyUSA[https://kstp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/KSTP-SurveyUSA-election-poll-11-1-22.pdf SurveyUSA]{{efn-ua|This poll was sponsored by KSTP-TV|name="KSTP"}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Oct. 26 – 30, 2022 |836 (LV) |± 3.9% |39% |{{party shading/Republican}}|44% |3%{{efn|"Other" polled at 3% with no candidate name given}} |14% |
| style="text-align:left;"|Trafalgar Group (R)[https://alphanews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MN-Gen-Poll-Report-1020-1.pdf Trafalgar Group (R)]{{efn-ua|This poll was sponsored by Alpha News}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Oct. 17 – 19, 2022 |1,091 (LV) |± 2.9% |40.4% |{{party shading/Republican}}|44.1% |6.0%{{efn|Davis (LMN) with 3.8%, and Finn (GLC) with 2.2%}} |9.5% |
| style="text-align:left;"|Embold Research[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YvHqJVoiDCp5NEWzuQHfhoCt9uxuin8keKdZ5iCl5Q0 Embold Research]
|style="text-align:left;"|Oct. 10 – 14, 2022 |1,585 (LV) |± 2.6% |{{party shading/DFL}}|40.4% |39.8% |6.1%{{efn|Davis (LMN) with 3.3%, and Finn (GLC) with 2.8%}} |13.7%{{efn|"Not sure" with 11.9%, and "would not vote" with 1.8%}} |
| style="text-align:left;"|SurveyUSA[https://kstp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SurveyUSA-Governors-Race-10-05-22.pdf SurveyUSA]
|style="text-align:left;"|Sep. 30 – Oct. 3, 2022 |604 (LV) |± 4.4% |{{party shading/DFL}}|41% |38% |3% |18% |
| style="text-align:left;"|Trafalgar Group (R)[https://alphanews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MN-Gen-Poll-Report-0918.pdf Trafalgar Group (R)]{{efn-ua|This poll was sponsored by Alpha News}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Sep. 14, 2022 |1,079 (LV) |± 2.9% |41.2% |{{party shading/Republican}}|42.3% |5.7%{{efn|Davis (LMN) with 4.8%, and Finn (GLC) with 0.9%}} |10.8% |
| style="text-align:left;" |SurveyUSA[https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/kstp-surveyusa-poll-dfl-incumbents-lead-3-key-races-but-gop-challengers-very-close/ SurveyUSA]
|style="text-align:left;"|Aug. 30 – Sep. 4, 2022 |562 (LV) |± 4.9% | {{party shading/DFL}} |38% |37% |3% |23% |
= Results =
{{align|right|{{Switcher| 300px|Swing by county
{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +7.5–10%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +5–7.5%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +2.5–5%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0–2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0–2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +2.5–5%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +5–7.5%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +7.5–10%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +10–12.5%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +12.5–15%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>15%}}
}}|300px|Trend by county
{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +7.5–10%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +5–7.5%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +2.5–5%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0–2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0–2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +2.5–5%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +5–7.5%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +7.5–10%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +10–12.5%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +12.5–15%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>15%}}}}}}}}{{Election box begin|title=2022 Minnesota State Auditor election{{cite web |title=2022 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2022/2022-general-election-results/ |website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|candidate=Julie Blaha (incumbent)|votes=1,168,185|percentage=47.47%|change=−1.88%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Ryan Wilson|votes=1,159,750|percentage=47.13%|change=+3.90%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Legal Marijuana Now Party|candidate=Tim Davis|votes=87,386|percentage=3.55%|change=−1.73%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis Party|candidate=Will Finn|votes=44,270|percentage=1.80%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box write-in with party link|votes=1,341|percentage=0.05%|change=+0.01%}}
{{Election box total|votes=2,460,932|percentage=100.0%}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing|winner=Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}
{{Election box end}}
== By county ==
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! rowspan="2" |County ! colspan="2" {{party shading/DFL}} |Julie Blaha ! colspan="2" {{party shading/Republican}} |Ryan Wilson ! colspan="2" {{party shading/Legal Marijuana Now}} |Tim Davis ! colspan="2" {{party shading/Grassroots}} |Will Finn ! colspan="2" |Write-in ! colspan="2" |Margin ! rowspan="2" |Total votes |
| data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/DFL}} |%
! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/DFL}} |# ! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/Republican}} |% ! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/Republican}} |# ! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/Legal Marijuana Now}} |% ! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/Legal Marijuana Now}} |# ! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/Grassroots}} |% ! data-sort-type="number" {{party shading/Grassroots}} |# ! data-sort-type="number" |% ! data-sort-type="number" |# ! data-sort-type="number" |% ! data-sort-type="number" |# |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Aitkin |32.31% |2,685 |62.93% |5,229 |3.26% |271 |1.48% |123 |0.01% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−30.62% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,544 |8,309 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Anoka |42.15% |64,825 |51.21% |78,758 |4.64% |7,133 |1.94% |2,988 |0.05% |80 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−9.06% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−13,933 |153,784 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Becker |30.41% |4,435 |64.80% |9,450 |3.28% |479 |1.47% |215 |0.03% |5 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−34.39% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−5,015 |14,584 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Beltrami |40.95% |7,306 |52.92% |9,442 |4.02% |717 |2.09% |372 |0.02% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−11.97% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,136 |17,841 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Benton |28.89% |4,652 |65.09% |10,480 |3.97% |640 |1.99% |321 |0.06% |9 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−36.19% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−5,828 |16,102 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Big Stone |33.07% |792 |62.13% |1,488 |3.59% |86 |1.13% |27 |0.08% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−29.06% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−696 |2,395 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Blue Earth |46.81% |12,192 |47.54% |12,382 |3.97% |1,034 |1.67% |434 |0.02% |5 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−0.73% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−190 |26,047 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Brown |28.81% |3,306 |66.97% |7,686 |2.77% |318 |1.39% |159 |0.06% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.17% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−4,380 |11,476 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Carlton |46.01% |7,188 |47.55% |7,429 |4.08% |637 |2.25% |352 |0.10% |16 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1.54% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−241 |15,622 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Carver |40.25% |21,247 |55.00% |29,036 |3.06% |1,614 |1.66% |876 |0.03% |18 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−14.75% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−7,789 |52,791 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Cass |29.85% |4,492 |65.11% |9,799 |2.94% |443 |2.07% |311 |0.04% |6 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−35.26% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−5,307 |15,051 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Chippewa |31.10% |1,521 |64.44% |3,152 |3.13% |153 |1.29% |63 |0.04% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−33.35% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,631 |4,891 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Chisago |31.83% |8,114 |61.67% |15,720 |4.45% |1,134 |2.00% |510 |0.04% |11 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−29.84% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−7,606 |25,489 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Clay |47.58% |10,204 |46.60% |9,995 |3.95% |848 |1.75% |376 |0.12% |25 | {{party shading/DFL}} |0.97% | {{party shading/DFL}} |209 |21,448 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Clearwater |23.59% |829 |71.97% |2,529 |3.02% |106 |1.42% |50 |0.00% |0 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−48.38% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,700 |3,514 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Cook |64.10% |2,048 |31.77% |1,015 |2.47% |79 |1.63% |52 |0.03% |1 | {{party shading/DFL}} |32.33% | {{party shading/DFL}} |1,033 |3,195 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Cottonwood |26.09% |1,190 |68.95% |3,145 |3.31% |151 |1.53% |70 |0.11% |5 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−42.86% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,955 |4,561 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Crow Wing |31.24% |10,042 |63.37% |20,367 |3.78% |1,216 |1.58% |508 |0.02% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−32.13% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−10,325 |32,140 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Dakota |50.26% |99,090 |44.70% |88,141 |3.43% |6,758 |1.52% |2,992 |0.09% |187 | {{party shading/DFL}} |5.55% | {{party shading/DFL}} |10,949 |197,168 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Dodge |31.12% |2,884 |64.64% |5,991 |2.51% |233 |1.68% |156 |0.04% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−33.52% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,107 |9,268 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Douglas |29.09% |5,642 |67.18% |13,030 |2.65% |514 |1.05% |204 |0.04% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.09% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−7,388 |19,397 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Faribault |28.61% |1,700 |66.87% |3,974 |2.98% |177 |1.50% |89 |0.05% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.26% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,274 |5,943 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Fillmore |35.11% |3,285 |60.07% |5,621 |3.14% |294 |1.60% |150 |0.07% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−24.97% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,336 |9,357 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Freeborn |36.31% |4,643 |58.27% |7,451 |3.70% |473 |1.70% |217 |0.02% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−21.96% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,808 |12,787 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Goodhue |37.94% |8,610 |57.27% |12,995 |3.03% |688 |1.73% |392 |0.03% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−19.32% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−4,385 |22,692 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Grant |33.81% |983 |60.68% |1,764 |3.72% |108 |1.69% |49 |0.10% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−26.87% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−781 |2,907 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Hennepin |64.66% |363,204 |30.27% |170,033 |3.28% |18,436 |1.73% |9,719 |0.06% |331 | {{party shading/DFL}} |34.39% | {{party shading/DFL}} |193,171 |561,723 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Houston |38.46% |3,333 |57.02% |4,941 |3.28% |284 |1.23% |107 |0.01% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−18.56% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,608 |8,666 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Hubbard |32.00% |3,373 |63.44% |6,686 |2.90% |306 |1.60% |169 |0.05% |5 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−31.44% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,313 |10,539 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Isanti |27.21% |5,040 |65.49% |12,129 |4.70% |871 |2.53% |469 |0.06% |11 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.28% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−7,089 |18,520 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Itasca |39.25% |8,252 |55.08% |11,580 |3.85% |810 |1.77% |372 |0.04% |9 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−15.83% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,328 |21,023 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Jackson |27.22% |1,226 |68.18% |3,071 |2.84% |128 |1.73% |78 |0.02% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−40.96% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,845 |4,504 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Kanabec |28.03% |1,962 |65.19% |4,563 |4.33% |303 |2.41% |169 |0.04% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−37.16% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,601 |7,000 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Kandiyohi |31.62% |5,692 |63.89% |11,500 |3.07% |552 |1.40% |252 |0.02% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−32.27% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−5,808 |18,000 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Kittson |34.17% |640 |59.26% |1,110 |4.54% |85 |2.03% |38 |0.00% |0 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−25.09% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−470 |1,873 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Koochiching |36.07% |1,866 |58.30% |3,016 |3.65% |189 |1.95% |101 |0.02% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−22.23% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,150 |5,173 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Lac qui Parle |33.38% |1,040 |63.09% |1,966 |2.28% |71 |1.16% |36 |0.10% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−29.72% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−926 |3,116 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Lake |48.51% |2,727 |45.95% |2,583 |3.38% |190 |2.10% |118 |0.05% |3 | {{party shading/DFL}} |2.56% | {{party shading/DFL}} |144 |5,621 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Lake of the Woods |24.79% |443 |72.08% |1,288 |2.24% |40 |0.84% |15 |0.06% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−47.29% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−845 |1,787 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Le Sueur |30.67% |3,979 |63.64% |8,256 |3.89% |505 |1.77% |229 |0.03% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−32.97% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−4,277 |12,973 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Lincoln |28.35% |683 |67.29% |1,621 |2.70% |65 |1.62% |39 |0.04% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.94% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−938 |2,409 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Lyon |30.78% |2,986 |64.73% |6,280 |3.15% |306 |1.30% |126 |0.04% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−33.95% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,294 |9,702 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Mahnomen |37.77% |613 |55.95% |908 |4.50% |73 |1.66% |27 |0.12% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−18.18% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−295 |1,623 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Marshall |24.37% |969 |71.66% |2,850 |2.59% |103 |1.31% |52 |0.08% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−47.30% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,881 |3,977 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Martin |25.81% |2,134 |69.25% |5,726 |3.62% |299 |1.31% |108 |0.01% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−43.44% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,592 |8,268 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |McLeod |27.02% |4,371 |67.59% |10,934 |3.54% |573 |1.82% |294 |0.02% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−40.57% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−6,563 |16,176 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Meeker |26.81% |2,861 |68.13% |7,270 |3.29% |351 |1.70% |181 |0.07% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−41.32% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−4,409 |10,670 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Mille Lacs |27.34% |2,989 |66.32% |7,251 |4.29% |469 |2.01% |220 |0.05% |5 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.98% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−4,262 |10,934 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Morrison |21.02% |3,205 |74.89% |11,421 |2.74% |418 |1.34% |205 |0.01% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−53.87% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−8,216 |15,251 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Mower |42.07% |5,855 |51.81% |7,210 |4.38% |609 |1.69% |235 |0.05% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−9.74% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,355 |13,916 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Murray |26.49% |1,020 |70.01% |2,696 |2.60% |100 |0.86% |33 |0.05% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−43.52% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,676 |3,851 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Nicollet |46.47% |6,984 |48.64% |7,310 |3.24% |487 |1.60% |240 |0.06% |9 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2.17% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−326 |15,030 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Nobles |28.44% |1,702 |67.03% |4,011 |3.09% |185 |1.40% |84 |0.03% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−38.59% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,309 |5,984 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Norman |37.16% |906 |57.18% |1,394 |3.81% |93 |1.68% |41 |0.16% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−20.02% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−488 |2,438 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Olmsted |50.46% |33,800 |46.03% |30,835 |2.22% |1,486 |1.27% |852 |0.02% |11 | {{party shading/DFL}} |4.43% | {{party shading/DFL}} |2,965 |66,984 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Otter Tail |29.47% |8,296 |66.14% |18,616 |2.95% |829 |1.41% |397 |0.03% |8 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−36.67% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−10,320 |28,146 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Pennington |31.56% |1,699 |62.11% |3,344 |4.42% |238 |1.89% |102 |0.02% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−30.55% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,645 |5,384 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Pine |30.87% |3,767 |62.51% |7,629 |4.64% |566 |1.92% |234 |0.07% |8 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−31.65% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,862 |12,204 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Pipestone |22.14% |829 |74.39% |2,786 |2.38% |89 |1.07% |40 |0.03% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−52.26% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,957 |3,745 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Polk |30.22% |3,253 |65.34% |7,033 |3.08% |332 |1.32% |142 |0.04% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−35.12% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,780 |10,764 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Pope |32.16% |1,804 |63.68% |3,572 |2.78% |156 |1.28% |72 |0.09% |5 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−31.52% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,768 |5,609 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Ramsey |65.44% |138,676 |27.39% |58,035 |4.47% |9,472 |2.63% |5,569 |0.07% |149 | {{party shading/DFL}} |38.06% | {{party shading/DFL}} |80,641 |211,901 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Red Lake |29.68% |463 |64.87% |1,012 |4.04% |63 |1.35% |21 |0.06% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−35.19% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−549 |1,560 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Redwood |23.46% |1,489 |72.08% |4,574 |3.12% |198 |1.31% |83 |0.03% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−48.61% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,085 |6,346 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Renville |26.57% |1,650 |67.75% |4,208 |3.96% |246 |1.67% |104 |0.05% |3 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−41.18% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,558 |6,211 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Rice |46.65% |13,040 |48.33% |13,510 |3.23% |903 |1.76% |492 |0.03% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1.68% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−470 |27,952 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Rock |26.18% |1,068 |70.21% |2,864 |2.13% |87 |1.45% |59 |0.02% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−44.03% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,796 |4,079 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Roseau |22.89% |1,467 |73.11% |4,685 |2.82% |181 |1.17% |75 |0.00% |0 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−50.22% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,218 |6,408 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Scott |39.90% |26,579 |55.09% |36,698 |3.55% |2,362 |1.43% |950 |0.03% |21 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−15.19% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−10,119 |66,610 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Sherburne |29.34% |12,010 |64.94% |26,582 |3.82% |1,562 |1.88% |770 |0.03% |12 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−35.60% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−14,572 |40,936 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Sibley |24.72% |1,608 |70.40% |4,580 |3.27% |213 |1.58% |103 |0.03% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−45.68% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,972 |6,506 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |St. Louis |53.70% |49,010 |39.79% |36,316 |4.02% |3,665 |2.43% |2,221 |0.07% |62 | {{party shading/DFL}} |13.91% | {{party shading/DFL}} |12,694 |91,274 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Stearns |33.19% |21,284 |61.65% |39,533 |3.33% |2,136 |1.74% |1,117 |0.08% |53 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−28.46% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−18,249 |64,123 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Steele |34.55% |5,610 |60.23% |9,781 |3.37% |548 |1.82% |296 |0.02% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−25.69% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−4,171 |16,239 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Stevens |33.67% |1,343 |62.75% |2,503 |2.21% |88 |1.35% |54 |0.03% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−29.08% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,160 |3,989 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Swift |33.59% |1,302 |61.95% |2,401 |3.22% |125 |1.19% |46 |0.05% |2 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−28.35% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,099 |3,876 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Todd |22.93% |2,457 |72.00% |7,715 |3.42% |366 |1.59% |170 |0.07% |7 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−49.07% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−5,258 |10,715 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Traverse |29.36% |446 |64.91% |986 |3.95% |60 |1.71% |26 |0.07% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−35.55% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−540 |1,519 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Wabasha |32.53% |3,440 |62.54% |6,613 |3.22% |341 |1.66% |176 |0.04% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−30.01% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−3,173 |10,574 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Wadena |24.09% |1,426 |71.53% |4,234 |3.04% |180 |1.33% |79 |0.00% |0 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−47.44% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,808 |5,919 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Waseca |30.12% |2,484 |64.29% |5,302 |3.82% |315 |1.72% |142 |0.05% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−34.17% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−2,818 |8,247 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/DFL}} |Washington |48.45% |62,085 |46.65% |59,772 |3.08% |3,944 |1.77% |2,267 |0.05% |64 | {{party shading/DFL}} |1.81% | {{party shading/DFL}} |2,313 |128,132 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Watonwan |32.95% |1,252 |62.29% |2,367 |3.00% |114 |1.66% |63 |0.11% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−29.34% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,115 |3,800 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Wilkin |26.88% |685 |68.41% |1,743 |3.30% |84 |1.26% |32 |0.16% |4 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−41.52% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,058 |2,548 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Winona |45.00% |9,090 |50.50% |10,201 |3.06% |618 |1.39% |280 |0.05% |10 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−5.50% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,111 |20,199 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Wright |30.38% |19,624 |63.64% |41,114 |3.83% |2,472 |2.11% |1,365 |0.04% |29 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−33.26% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−21,490 |64,604 |
| style="text-align:center;"
| {{party shading/Republican}} |Yellow Medicine |27.50% |1,189 |67.85% |2,933 |3.28% |142 |1.34% |58 |0.02% |1 | {{party shading/Republican}} |−40.34% | {{party shading/Republican}} |−1,744 |4,323 |
| Totals
!47.47% !1,168,185 !47.13% !1,159,750 !3.55% !87,386 !1.80% !44,270 !0.05% !1,341 !0.34% !8,435 !2,460,932 |
==By congressional district==
Despite losing the state, Wilson won 5 of 8 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.{{Cite web |url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20221108| title=Home - Election Results|website=electionresults.sos.state.mn.us |access-date=April 15, 2023}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
! District ! Blaha ! Wilson ! Representative |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|1|1st}} | 40% | 55% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Brad Finstad |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|2|2nd}} | 47% | 48% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Angie Craig |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|3|3rd}} | 53% | 42% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Dean Phillips |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|4|4th}} | 61% | 32% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Betty McCollum |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|5|5th}} | 76% | 18% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Ilhan Omar |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|6|6th}} | 35% | 59% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Tom Emmer |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|7|7th}} | 29% | 66% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Michelle Fischbach |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Minnesota|8|8th}} | 40% | 54% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Pete Stauber |
Aftermath
On November 9, the day after the election, Blaha claimed victory in Minnesota's closest race of the year. She released a statement, reading in part: "Our victory is a message that Minnesotans want their auditor to continue to focus on local government, to ultimately protect our freedom to make decisions in our own communities."{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Rochelle |date=2022-11-09 |title=State Auditor Blaha declares victory, Wilson concedes in closest statewide matchup |url=https://www.startribune.com/state-auditor-blaha-declares-victory-wilson-concedes-in-closest-statewide-matchup/600223886/ |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=Star Tribune}}
Ryan Wilson conceded the same day, saying that he planned to return to practicing law and fundraising for a baseball stadium at Hamel in Medina.
The 8,435-vote margin was slightly above the threshold for an automatic recount.
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{notelist-ua}}
External links
- [http://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/ Elections & Voting - Minnesota Secretary of State]
Official campaign websites
- [https://www.blahaforauditor.com/ Julie Blaha (DFL)]
- [https://wilson4mn.com/ Ryan Wilson (R)]
- [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014802846177 Will Finn (GLC)]
- [https://timdavis4auditor.com/ Tim Davis (LMN)]
{{Elections in Minnesota footer}}
{{2022 United States elections}}
Category:2022 Minnesota elections
Category:Minnesota State Auditor elections