1988Final results
1988 election for Minnesota's 5th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
Martin Sabo (D) won with 72.1% of the vote, defeating Raymond C. Gilbertson (R) by 47.1 points.
Martin SaboDemocrat · winner
72.1%174,416
Raymond C. GilbertsonRepublican
25.1%60,646
T. Christopher WrightOther party
2.7%6,468
241,798 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.
Martin SaboRaymond C. Gilbertson
$364K
Raised by the campaign
$21.8K
$281.5K
Spent by the campaign
$16.9K
$182.2K
Cash on hand
$1.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Martin Sabo (D)Raymond C. Gilbertson (R)
Also on the ballot: T. Christopher Wright (Other party), 2.7%