1978Final results
1978 election for U.S. Senate in Minnesota
U.S. Senate · Minnesota
Rudolph Boschwitz (R) won with 56.6% of the vote, defeating Wendell Anderson (D) by 16.2 points.
Rudolph BoschwitzRepublican · winner
56.6%894,092
Wendell AndersonDemocrat
40.4%638,375
Sal CarloneOther party
1.5%23,261
William PetersonSocialist Workers
0.6%9,856
Brian John CoyleOther party
0.5%8,083
Jean T. BrustOther party
0.2%3,891
Leonard RichardsLibertarian
0.2%2,992
1,580,622 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Rudolph Boschwitz (R)Wendell Anderson (D)
Also on the ballot: Sal Carlone (Other party), 1.5%; William Peterson (Socialist Workers), 0.6%; Brian John Coyle (Other party), 0.5%; Jean T. Brust (Other party), 0.2%; Leonard Richards (Libertarian), 0.2%