1982 United States Senate election in Minnesota

The 1982 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator David Durenberger was reelected to a second term (his first full term) over DFL nominee Mark Dayton.

Candidates

 * William A. Branstner
 * Mark Dayton, businessman
 * Eugene McCarthy, former U.S. Senator
 * Charles E. Pearson

Candidate

 * David Durenberger, incumbent U.S. Senator
 * Mary Jane Rachner

Campaign
Dayton, 35, self-financed his campaign. Married to a Rockefeller and heir to a department store, his net worth was an estimated $30 million. Durenberger won the special election to finish the term of the late Hubert Humphrey. He was considered a moderate, but supported Reagan's tax cuts. Dayton ran against Reaganomics. He has also campaigned against tax breaks for the wealthy and even promised "to close tax loopholes for the rich and the corporations—and if you think that includes the Daytons, you're right." Dayton spent over $7 million, Durenberger over $4 million.