2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota

Incumbent Amy Klobuchar was first elected in 2006 to succeed retiring DFL incumbent Mark Dayton. She beat Republican nominee Mark Kennedy, 58% to 38%. Klobuchar served as Minnesota's only senator between January 3 and July 7, 2009, due to the contested results of Minnesota's senatorial election held the previous year, finally decided in favor of DFLer Al Franken. == DFL primary ==

The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party held its Senate primary on August 14, 2012. Candidates Declared • Dick Franson, perennial candidate • Amy Klobuchar, incumbent U.S. Senator • Jack Shepard, dentist, convicted felon, fugitive and perennial candidate • Darryl Stanton Results == Republican primary ==

The Republican Party of Minnesota held its nominating convention in May 2012 and its Senate primary on August 14, 2012. • David Carlson, former Marine Corps sergeant; candidate in August 2012 primary • Bob Carney Jr., inventor, independent businessman; finished 2nd in 2010 GOP primary for Governor of Minnesota, candidate in August 2012 primary Withdrew • Joe Arwood, St. Bonifacius city councilman; withdrew before May 2012 convention • Pete Hegseth, executive director of Vets for Freedom; withdrew after May 2012 convention • Anthony Hernandez, former state senate candidate; withdrew before May 2012 convention to run for Congress against Betty McCollum • Dan Severson, former state representative; withdrew after May 2012 convention Results ==Independence primary==

Campaign The Independence Party of Minnesota did not plan to run a candidate in the general election. Party chairman Mark Jenkins said in November 2011 that he saw the Senate election as "a distraction from having our best and brightest engaged in state legislative races". At the party's convention in June 2012, neither candidate was endorsed. Williams won a majority of the votes and came within two votes of the required 60% needed for the party's endorsement. He proceeded with his Senate campaign but the party focused on state legislative races. Candidates • Stephen Williams, farmer and Independence Party endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 Results == General election ==

Candidates • Amy Klobuchar (DFL), incumbent U.S. Senator • Kurt Bills (Republican), State Representative • Stephen Williams (Independence), Farmer • Michael Cavlan (Minnesota Open Progressives), Registered Nurse • Tim Davis (Grassroots), environmental activist Debates On August 29 Klobuchar and Bills held their second debate at the State Fair, sponsored by MPR News. Their third debate, on September 16 in Duluth, was about the nation's struggle with deficit spending and unemployment. The audience was assembled by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and Duluth News Tribune. External links • Complete video at Minnesota Public Radio, second debate, August 29, 2012 • Audio from Minnesota Public Radio, third debate, September 18, 2012 Fundraising Top contributors This section lists the top contributors by employer. These organizations themselves did not donate, but these numbers include donations from their PACs, members, employees, owners, and their immediate families. Top industries Predictions Polling Republican primary General election Results Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic • Carver (largest city: Chaska) • Redwood (largest city: Redwood Falls) • Wright (largest city: Otsego) • Sherburne (largest city: Elk River) • Otter Tail (largest city: Fergus Falls) • Wadena (largest city: Wadena) By congressional district Klobuchar won all eight congressional districts, including three held by Republicans. == See also ==