Arne Carlson Republican Jesse Ventura Reform The 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998.

[1] To date, the election marks the only time a Reform Party candidate won a major government office.

[12] Ventura spent around $300,000 and combined it with an aggressive grassroots campaign that featured a statewide bus tour, pioneered use of the Internet for political purposes, and aired quirky TV ads designed by Bill Hillsman, who forged the phrase "Don't vote for politics as usual.

His speech at a parade in rural Minnesota during the summer attracted what organizers of the annual event described as one of its largest audiences.

No other candidate in the Reform Party's brief history in Minnesota has received more than 5 percent of the votes in a statewide election.

[15] Following the primary election in September, a poll on October 20 showed Humphrey leading 35% to Coleman (34%) and Ventura (21%).