Mark Dayton Narrowly Leads Minnesota Governor's Race; Recount Likely

Former Sen. Mark Dayton held a razor-thin margin over Republican Tom Emmer early Wednesday in the Minnesota governor's race, virtually assuring a recount.

With fewer than 20 percent of the state's precincts uncounted, Dayton held a lead of less than half of 1 percent over Emmer -- about 9,000 votes, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Independence Party candidate Tom Horner was third.

Recounts are nothing new to Minnesotans. Al Franken's 2008 Senate victory over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman was subjected to a rancorous recount that landed in court and left the seat vacant for eight months.

"It looks like it's recount part 2, and this time it's personal," said Minnesota Republican Chairman Tony Sutton.

Dayton, a member of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party, an affiliate of the national Democratic Party, told voters during the campaign that the wealthy needed to pay more to shrink deficits and maintain and improve government services. Emmer called for more limited government.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a conservative who did not seek another term, is flirting with a possible presidential run in 2012.