‘There’s a parallel’: Former governor Arne Carlson reflects on his own eleventh-hour race

President Joe Biden’s late-race dropout might feel a little familiar to lifelong Minnesotans.

Thirty-four years ago, Minnesota saw a gubernatorial election that had plenty of controversy and yes, an 11th hour withdrawal that changed the game with a surprise upset victory. It was astounding at the time.

Here’s what happened: DFL incumbent governor Rudy Perpich, was seeking an unprecedented fourth term. Republicans got behind a business executive named Jon Grunseth. Grunseth was leading in the polls until details of a sex scandal were revealed in the Star Tribune just three weeks before the election.

After Grunseth dropped, Arne Carlson jumped in. He won the race and went on to serve two terms as governor. Former governor Arne Carlson joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to reflect on his last-minute race.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. Click on the audio player above for the full interview. 

It was Senator Rudy Boschwitz who was working to try to get you on the ballot? What’s the story there?

I never really understood precisely what was going on there. I know he was starting to have trouble and was very nervous about Grunseth. I do think he was trying to get me on the ballot. But the Republican Party did not want me on. I was pro-choice and pro-human rights. The party was in a vastly different place.

They ultimately agreed. How was it when that decision was made?

Well, they were kind of compelled by law. They really had no other option. It really fell to the person who came in second in the primary.

You launched a ‘prairie fire’ across Minnesota, this last-minute campaign 15 days out. Run us through what happened.

I think there’s a parallel to what’s going on with Kamala Harris and that is such an outpouring of goodwill. It’s absolutely phenomenal. I remember landing in Mankato, and it was kind of like a Lindbergh scene. It was just packed with people.

I tried to give a speech and I was constantly interrupted by tears. I think there’s just a feeling of goodwill. That’s precisely what can propel Harris, not just as a nomination, but to the presidency. Democrats do very well when they’re energized, they turn out to vote.

She is the one that can put it all together. I think there’s a distinct possibility of a Harris landslide.

In your own race, what gave you some hope that you could make it in this last-minute attempt?

I think it’s the exact same thing that we have today. I don’t think anybody at that time wanted either Grunseth or Perpich. We have this exact same thing today when over 73 percent do not want either Trump or Biden.

So, it was just an outpouring of goodwill, a new face that arrived. We were the benefactor of that. But it was really the public. It was one of the few times in American democracy where the people actually spoke and ultimately determined who would succeed.

Did you have a problem raising money?

It was stunning. I remember going down to St. Paul to shake hands and meet people. People were stuffing money in my pockets. I felt like a thief. You’re seeing the same thing with Harris.

There’s such a tremendous outpouring. She raised $50 million from small donors in just a matter of hours. That’s what the media is underestimating — the euphoria that the American people have at the prospect of a new face, a new generation, and a new vision for America.

How did you come up with a running mate at the last minute?

The running mate of John Grunseth filed suit and said she was entitled to run as the lieutenant governor. But, I had Joanell Dyrstad who served with me and we weren’t about to make any changes whatsoever. So, it went to court.

Then on Friday, before the Tuesday election, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed that Dyrstad would be the lieutenant governor candidate with me. So, our campaign theoretically had three or four days. But the worst part of it, which we did not know at the time, was we were not on the absentee ballot.

There are so many Democratic leaders endorsing Kamala Harris now. What was the power in your race of getting endorsements that propelled you forward?

I was running as an Independent candidate, but I had to run first in a Republican primary against the endorsed Republican candidate Allen Quist. But I think Harris has a free pass. She will be the nominee. I think it’s wonderful that all the Democrats are united around her.

How much of a difference do you think President Biden giving Harris his support will make here?

It makes a considerable amount of difference. It unifies the party. I just dread the thought of a person coming into the White House who wants to destroy our democracy. I think Harris is going to unite us. I’m going to certainly be out there doing everything I possibly can to elect her.

You were an Independent-Republican but now it sounds like you’ve kind of moved that needle and you’re going to vote Democratic this year?

Absolutely. You know, I’ve been Independent for quite a few years. The party moved to the right and I just felt increasingly more uncomfortable. I’ve always been very pro-human rights. When I was on the Minneapolis City Council, I introduced an ordinance for gay rights and I feel very strongly about women’s rights to choose. I just think the party has gone off with Trump into a direction that is very frightening and autocratic.