2014 Minnesota Secretary of State election


The 2014 Minnesota Secretary of State election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Incumbent [Minnesota Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|Democratic–Farmer–Labor] Secretary of State Mark Ritchie did not run for re-election to a third term in office. Primary elections were held on August 12, 2014. The Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party nominated State Representative Steve Simon, the Republican Party nominated State Representative Dan Severson and the Independence Party nominated business process analyst Bob Helland.
Simon narrowly defeated Severson in the general election.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

The Democratic–Farmer–Labor endorsement was made on May 31, 2014. State Representative Steve Simon was endorsed by acclamation over fellow State Representative Debra Hilstrom, who conceded before the results of the first ballot were announced and withdrew from the race.

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Republican primary

The Republican endorsement was made on May 30, 2014. Former state representative Dan Severson, the Republican nominee for secretary of state in 2010, was endorsed after one ballot when former state senator John Howe withdrew his name from consideration.

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Independence primary

The Independence Party endorsement was made on May 17, 2014. Bob Helland won the endorsement.

Candidates

  • Bob Helland, business process analyst
  • David Singleton

General election

Candidates

  • Steve Simon, state representative
  • Dan Severson, former state representative, nominee for secretary of state in 2010 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012
  • Bob Helland, business process analyst
  • Bob Odden

Results by congressional district

Despite losing the state, Severson won five of eight congressional districts, including two that elected Democrats.
DistrictSimonSeversonRepresentative
42%50%Tim Walz
43%50%John Kline
43%51%Erik Paulsen
56%37%Betty McCollum
69%24%Keith Ellison
36%57%Tom Emmer
40%52%Collin Peterson
48%45%Rick Nolan