Minnesota Governor Election Results: Tim Walz Projected Winner

MINNESOTA — Democrats are expected to maintain control of the governor's mansion in Minnesota. Democrat Tim Walz is projected to defeat Republican challenger Jeff Johnson.

With 4098 of 4113 precincts reporting, Walz leads Johnson 1,391,628 votes to 1,096,567, according to unofficial election night totals.

Walz will fill the vacancy left by Gov. Mark Dayton, who is retiring after two terms.

6 Minnesota Election Stories You May Have Missed Last Night

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A close race

Johnson has trailed Walz in recent polls, but the race has gotten tighter. A poll conducted by the Star Tribune and MPR found Walz leading Johnson, 45 percent to 39 percent.

Johnson remained optimistic about his chances Tuesday.

"I've been on the road straight for 6 days, first on a fly around and then a bus tour, and the energy has been amazing at every stop,” the candidate told Patch.

“I know what it feels like right before you win an election, and this feels like we are going to win. Overall, I've run the race I've wanted to run, I've told the truth and laid out a vision of exactly where I will take Minnesota as governor. That's really all you can ask for as the campaign winds down, and I'm very excited for the chance to win and represent the state I love.”

“Lastly, to your readers -- if you're reading this and it's before 8:00 PM on Tuesday...please go vote!"”

Tim Walz’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

There are signs that Walz could ride a wave to anti-Trump sentiment to the governor's house.

Jenifer Prince, of Eden Prarie, has been a Republican most of her life. To prove it, she tells Patch that when President Richard Nixon visited Rochester, "there was a group of high school girls that, they got together to wear white go-go boots and shorts and welcome Nixon."

"I was one of them," she recalls.

"But I went from being a Republican to being an independent."

Now, because of the direction she believes the Republicans have taken under Trump, she considers herself a Democrat.

"The Republican Party that I knew, and my father supported" has changed, says Prince.

More than 535,000 Minnesotans voted before Tuesday

Early voting in Minnesota this year began Sept. 21. As of Monday morning, at least 539,806 absentee ballots had been accepted, almost keeping pace with the 2016 presidential election.

The rate of absentee ballot requests this year increased 129 percent over 2014, which was the last statewide non-presidential election.

"Early voter participation in Minnesota is at record levels,'" Secretary of State Steve Simon said in a statement Monday.

"With less than 36 hours remaining in the 2018 election, Minnesotans are on-pace to hold our #1 title for voting participation."

Crucial votes in the suburbs

Several races for U.S. House in the Twin Cities metro area could come down to a tiny margin of voters in the suburbs. With the midterms today, it's worth taking a look at the political landscape of the metro.

Read on: Most Liberal, And Most Conservative Twin Cities Suburbs: List

Minnesota Election Day Weather

You may have to get through rain and snow showers on your way to the polls Tuesday. Election Day will feature plenty of precipitation in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Weather: Election Day 2018 Forecast

Haven't registered to vote yet? Don't worry. Minnesota residents eligible to vote can register on Election Day at their polling location. You will need to show proof of residence before you vote.

If your voter registration is current and active, you do not need to bring an I.D. to the polls.

Where do I vote? You can enter your address into Minnesota's Polling Place Finder to find out where you vote

Interested in Minnesota politics? Subscribe to Patch's daily newsletters and alerts for the latest political news.

Photo: Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) speaks to a crowd of supporters at his election night party on August 14, 2018 in St Paul, Minnesota. Walz, joined by his running mate, Peggy Flanagan, won the night's primary and will go on to be the DFL candidate for Governor in the general election. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)