1988Final results
1988 election for Minnesota's 3rd District
U.S. House · Minnesota
William Frenzel (R) won with 68.2% of the vote, defeating Dave Carlson (D) by 36.6 points.
William FrenzelRepublican · winner
68.2%215,322
Dave CarlsonDemocrat
31.6%99,770
315,609 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 1988
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.
Dave CarlsonWilliam Frenzel
$21.3K
Raised by the campaign
$497.3K
$21.2K
Spent by the campaign
$381.6K
$27
Cash on hand
$429.6K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988