2010Flipped from RepublicanFinal results
2010 election for Minnesota Governor
Governor · Minnesota
Mark Dayton (D) won with 43.7% of the vote, defeating Tom Emmer (R) by 0.4 points, a seat Republicans won last time.
Mark DaytonDemocrat · winner
43.7%919,232
Tom EmmerRepublican
43.2%910,462
Tom HornerIndependent
11.9%251,487
Chris WrightGreen
0.4%7,516
Farheen HakeemGreen
0.3%6,188
Ken PentelOther party
0.3%6,180
Linda EnoRepublican
0.2%4,092
2,105,157 votes
Source: English WikipediaUpdated Oct 5, 2026, 4:05 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2010
Races before and after
Source: English WikipediaUpdated Oct 5, 2026, 4:05 AM ET
The candidates
Mark Dayton (D)Tom Emmer (R)Tom Horner (I)
Also on the ballot: Chris Wright (Green), 0.4%; Farheen Hakeem (Green), 0.3%; Ken Pentel (Other party), 0.3%; Linda Eno (Republican), 0.2%