Well, I'm not from Minnesota, but I'm sure I can answer at least the second half of your question.
They elected Coleman because of the Dimocrats' absolutely disgraceful behavior at the memorial service for Senator Paul Wellstone, the incumbent liberal who now-Senator Coleman was facing.
It was a big, televised event, and the asswipes in the crowd (egged on by Senator Wellstone's children, among others) turned the whole thing into a huge stick-it-to-the-Republicans campaign rally. Activities included booing Senator Lott (then the Majority Leader of the Senate) and a couple of other Republicans out of the building.
The next morning, Governor Ventura called the Dims disgusting on national TV, and apparently the voters agreed.
It was a huge deal. With the sentimental feelings over Wellstone (undeserved, but heh...), a generally well-regarded Walter Mondale ready to step into the wings... well, the Dims should have had that race in a walk (no disrespect to Senator Coleman). But, hell no, they just HAD to make asses of themselves. Thank goodness for that.
In my opinion the Wellstone "funeral," with all the lefty HATE presented
was the START of the now raging aggressive, shove-the lefty-crap-in-your-face stance by the leftwing and their "news" media .
They were too dumb to notice it didn't work
and think if they do more and more of the same they will get their desired goal.
STUPID people.