1986Final results
1986 election for Minnesota's 5th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
Martin Sabo (D) won with 72.7% of the vote, defeating Rick Serra (R) by 46.8 points.
Martin SaboDemocrat · winner
72.7%105,410
Rick SerraRepublican
25.9%37,583
Clifford Mark GreeneOther party
1.4%2,004
144,997 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 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Martin SaboRick Serra
$237.8K
Raised by the campaign
$22.9K
$208K
Spent by the campaign
$22.1K
$99.7K
Cash on hand
$835
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986