The 2024 presidential election is predicted to be one of the closest in recent history with two unpopular candidates, even though Minnesota has voted Democratic for more than 50 consecutive years. However, President Joe Biden's victory is not guaranteed.
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Here's a look at some of the closest Minnesota presidential election results dating back to 1972.
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2016 Minnesota General Election Results
The 2016 presidential election was unconventional to say the least. Numerous scandals involving both front-runners dominated the news cycle, and attacks on each other continued to capture national attention while topics on border security, women's rights, and the economy characterized the campaign.
Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: 46.44%
Republican businessman Donald Trump: 44.93%
2004 Minnesota General Election Results
The 2004 presidential election was the first election after the 9/11 attacks, and Republican President George Bush became a wartime leader. Bush used his experience dealing with the aftermath of attacks to lead foreign policy campaigns and actions during the Iraq war. Mr. Bush's disaster response and incumbency advantage led to close Republican races in historically blue states.
Democratic Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry: 51.09%
Republican incumbent President George W. Bush: 47.61%
2000 Minnesota General Election Results
The 2000 election was close nationally and in Minnesota. Domestic issues surrounding Social Security and Medicare reform dominated both the Republican and Democratic camps. Support from both parties was low after then-Democratic President Bill Clinton was impeached over a sex scandal with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Mr. Clinton's vice president, Al Gore, tried not to campaign with him.
Democratic Vice President Al Gore: 47.91%
Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush: 45.5%
1984 Minnesota General Election Results
Incumbent Republican President Ronald Reagan defeated Vice President Walter Mondale of Minnesota in a landslide. Minnesota was just barely able to carry it, one of Mondale's two wins. Reagan enjoyed the electoral advantage of incumbency and enjoyed high approval ratings throughout his presidential term for his tough-on-crime policies and approach to economic recovery from the recession of the early 1980s.
Democratic former Vice President Walter Mondale: 49.72%
Republican incumbent President Ronald Reagan: 49.54%
1980 Minnesota General Election Results
Incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter felt strong dissatisfaction not only from the public but also from leaders within his own party. Carter's unpopularity due to stagflation and the Iran hostage crisis led to a landslide victory for former California governor Ronald Reagan.
Democratic President Jimmy Carter: 46.5%
Republican former California Governor Ronald Reagan: 42.56%
1972 Minnesota General Election Results
The 1972 general election was the last time Republicans won Minnesota's 10 electoral points. Incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon touted his economic victories and foreign policy experience, while Democratic South Dakota Sen. George McGovern ran for universal basic income and an end to the Vietnam War. Nixon portrayed McGovern's campaign as radical, aided by negative media coverage surrounding the mental health of McGovern's running mate, Thomas Eagleton.
Republican incumbent President Richard Nixon: 51.58%
Democratic South Dakota Sen. George McGovern: 46.07%
— Sam Woodward is USA Today's Minnesota elections reporter fellow. She can be reached at the following address:swoodward@gannett.comX @woodyreports, or thread @samjowoody
