2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

November 7, 2006 (2006-11-07)
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Last election 4 seats, 51.42% 4 seats, 45.42% Seats before 4 4 Seats won 5 3 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,152,621 924,636 Percentage 52.90% 42.43% Swing 1.48% 2.99%
Democratic   40–50%   50–60%   60–70% Republican   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%

Map of Minnesota showing all eight districts

The 2006 congressional elections in Minnesota were held on November 7, 2006, to determine who would represent the state of Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives.

Minnesota had eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 110th Congress from January 3, 2007, until January 3, 2009. The election coincided with the Senate election and the gubernatorial election.

Overview

Statewide

Party		Candidates	Votes		Seats
			No.	%	No.	+/–	%
	Democratic-Farmer-Labor	8	1,152,621	52.90	5	1	62.50
	Republican	8	924,636	42.43	3	1	37.50
	Independence	3	85,815	3.94	0		0.0
	Unity	1	5,508	0.25	0		0.0
	Green	1	4,792	0.23	0		0.0
	Constitution	1	3,303	0.15	0		0.0
	Write-in	8	2,299	0.11	0		0.0
Total		30	2,178,974	100.0	8		100.0

Popular vote Democratic   52.90% Republican   42.43% Independence   3.94% Other   0.73%

House seats Democratic   62.50% Republican   37.50%

By district

Results of the 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:

District	Democratic		Republican		Others		Total		Result
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
District 1	141,556	52.74%	126,486	47.12%	379	0.14%	268,421	100.0%	Democratic gain
District 2	116,343	40.04%	163,269	56.20%	10,928	3.76%	290,540	100.0%	Republican hold
District 3	99,588	35.04%	184,333	64.85%	323	0.11%	284,244	100.0%	Republican hold
District 4	172,096	69.54%	74,797	30.23%	573	0.23%	247,466	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 5	136,060	55.56%	52,263	21.34%	56,582	23.10%	244,905	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 6	127,144	42.07%	151,248	50.05%	23,796	7.88%	302,188	100.0%	Republican hold
District 7	179,164	69.66%	74,557	28.99%	3,473	1.35%	257,194	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 8	180,670	63.61%	97,683	34.39%	5,663	1.99%	284,016	100.0%	Democratic hold
Total	1,152,621	52.90%	924,636	42.43%	101,717	4.67%	2,178,974	100.0%

District 1

2006 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election

Nominee Tim Walz Gil Gutknecht Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 141,556 126,486 Percentage 52.7% 47.1%

Walz:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Gutknecht:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Gil Gutknecht Republican Elected U.S. Representative Tim Walz Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 1st congressional district

Incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.6% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of R+1.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gregory Mikkelson

Results

Republican Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent)	24,725	87.3
	Republican	Gregory Mikkelson	3,600	12.7
Total votes			28,325	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tim Walz, high school teacher and retired Army National Guard NCO

Results

Democratic Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz	26,475	100.0
Total votes			26,475	100.0

General election

Debate

• Complete video of debate, October 26, 2006

Campaign

In his bid for a seventh term in Congress, incumbent Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht faced off against Tim Walz, a high school teacher and the DFL nominee in this swing district based in southern Minnesota.

Endorsements

Tim Walz (D)

Individuals

• Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Tossup	November 6, 2006
Rothenberg	Tossup	November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Tilt R	November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics	Lean R	November 7, 2006
CQ Politics	Lean R	November 7, 2006

Results

Walz upset Gutknecht by a margin of 5.6%.

Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz	141,556	52.7
	Republican	Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent)	126,486	47.1
	Write-in		379	0.1
Total votes			268,421	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

District 2

2006 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election

Nominee John Kline Coleen Rowley Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 163,269 116,343 Percentage 56.2% 40.0%

Precinct results Kline:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Rowley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election John Kline Republican Elected U.S. Representative John Kline Republican

See also: Minnesota's 2nd congressional district

This district spans the width of the entire southern metro area and contains all of Carver, Scott, Le Sueur, Goodhue and Rice Counties and most of Dakota County. Incumbent Republican John Kline, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 56.4% of the vote in 2004. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and political activist

General election

Endorsements

Coleen Rowley (D)

U.S. Representatives

• John Murtha (D-PA-12)

Individuals

• Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 6, 2006
Rothenberg	Safe R	November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Likely R	November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics	Safe R	November 7, 2006
CQ Politics	Likely R	November 7, 2006

Results

Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Kline	163,269	56.2
	Democratic (DFL)	Coleen Rowley	116,343	40.0
	Independence	Douglas Williams	10,802	3.7
	Write-in		126	0.1
Total votes			290,540	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

2006 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election

Nominee Jim Ramstad Wendy Wilde Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 184,333 99,588 Percentage 64.9% 35.0%

Precinct results Ramstad:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Wilde:      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      40–50%

U.S. Representative before election Jim Ramstad Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad Republican

See also: Minnesota's 3rd congressional district

This conservative district encompassed the northern, western, and southern suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Hennepin County and Anoka County. Incumbent Republican Jim Ramstad, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64.6% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of Even.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Ramstad (Incumbent)	17,579	100.0
Total votes			17,579	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Wendy Wilde, local radio host

Eliminated in primary

• Kevin Ray Smith
• Gavin Sullivan

Results

Democratic Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Wendy Wilde	19,259	76.8
	Democratic (DFL)	Kevin Ray Smith	2,911	11.6
	Democratic (DFL)	Gavin Sullivan	2,894	11.6
Total votes			25,064	100.0

General election

Results

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Ramstad (Incumbent)	184,333	64.9
	Democratic (DFL)	Wendy Wilde	99,588	35.0
	Write-in		323	0.1
Total votes			284,244	100.0
	Republican hold

District 4

2006 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election

Nominee Betty McCollum Obi Sium Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 172,096 74,797 Percentage 69.5% 30.2%

Precinct results McCollum:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Sium:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 4th congressional district

This district covers most of Ramsey County including all of Saint Paul and several Saint Paul suburbs. Incumbent Democrat Betty McCollum, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 57.5% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of D+13.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (Incumbent)	37,397	100.0
Total votes			37,397	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Obi Sium, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources employee

Eliminated in primary

• Jack Shepard, fugitive, alleged arsonist, and former Minneapolis dentist who fled the country after allegedly attempting to burn down his own dental office

Results

Republican Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Obi Sium	8,802	64.2
	Republican	Jack Shepard	4,908	35.8
Total votes			13,710	100.0

General election

Results

Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (Incumbent)	172,096	69.5
	Republican	Obi Sium	74,797	30.2
	Write-in		573	0.2
Total votes			247,466	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 5

2006 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

Nominee Keith Ellison Alan Fine Tammy Lee Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence Popular vote 136,060 52,263 51,456 Percentage 55.6% 21.3% 21.0%

Precinct results Ellison:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Fine:      30–40%      40–50% Lee:      30–40%

U.S. Representative before election Martin Olav Sabo Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Keith Ellison Democratic (DFL)

Main article: 2006 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

See also: Minnesota's 5th congressional district

This district covers eastern Hennepin County, including the entire city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, along with parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. Incumbent Democrat Martin Olav Sabo, who had represented the district since 1979, decided to retire, creating an open seat. He was re-elected with 69.7% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of D+21.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Keith Ellison, state representative from district 58B since 2003

Eliminated in primary

• Mike Erlandson, chief of staff to Martin Olav Sabo
• Andrew Vincent Favorite
• Gregg A. Iverson
• Paul Ostrow, Minneapolis City Councilor
• Ember Reichgott Junge, former state senator from district 46 (1983–2001)
• Patrick J. Wiles

Results

Democratic Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison	29,003	41.2
	Democratic (DFL)	Mike Erlandson	21,857	31.1
	Democratic (DFL)	Ember Reichgott Junge	14,454	20.5
	Democratic (DFL)	Paul Ostrow	3,795	5.4
	Democratic (DFL)	Andrew Vincent Favorite	470	0.7
	Democratic (DFL)	Gregg A. Iverson	448	0.6
	Democratic (DFL)	Patrick J. Wiles	347	0.5
Total votes			70,374	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Alan Fine, businessman

Results

Republican Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Alan Fine	7,352	100.0
Total votes			7,352	100.0

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tammy Lee, former press secretary for United States Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and communications director for Skip Humphrey's 1998 gubernatorial campaign

Results

Independence Party Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Tammy Lee	1,086	100.0
Total votes			1,086	100.0

General election

Results

Despite a surprisingly strong performance by Lee, Ellison emerged victorious, and became the first African-American Congressman from Minnesota and the first Muslim in Congress.

Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison	136,060	55.6
	Republican	Alan Fine	52,263	21.3
	Independence	Tammy Lee	51,456	21.0
	Green	Jay Pond	4,792	2.0
	Write-in		334	0.1
Total votes			244,905	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 6

2006 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

Nominee Michele Bachmann Patty Wetterling John Paul Binkowski Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence Popular vote 151,248 127,144 23,557 Percentage 50.1% 42.1% 7.8%

Bachmann:      40–50%      50–60% Bachmann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Wetterling:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      40–50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Mark Kennedy Republican Elected U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann Republican

Main article: 2006 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

See also: Minnesota's 6th congressional district

This district includes most or all of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. Incumbent Republican Mark Kennedy, who had represented the district since 2007, declined to seek a fourth term in Congress, instead opting to run for Senate in the wake of then-Senator Mark Dayton's retirement. Kennedy was re-elected with 54.0% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of R+5.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Michele Bachmann, state senator

Withdrawn

• Jay Esmay, businessman
• Phil Krinkie, state representative
• Jim Knoblach, state representative
• Cheri Yecke, former Minnesota Commissioner of Education

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Patty Wetterling, national advocate of children's safety and nominee for this seat in 2004 (endorsed Wetterling)

Withdrawn

• Scott Mortensen
• Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Mayor of Blaine

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Paul Binkowski, project coordinator for Johnson Controls

General election

Campaign

During the campaign, Wetterling attacked Bachmann for voting against increased restrictions on sex offenders, while Bachmann accused Wetterling of wanting to negotiate with terrorists, charges each denied.

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Tossup	November 6, 2006
Rothenberg	Tossup	November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Tilt R	November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics	Lean R	November 7, 2006
CQ Politics	Tossup	November 7, 2006

Results

Despite polling that indicated that the race would be close, and although this was the most expensive House race in Minnesota, Bachmann defeated Wetterling by a large margin, with Binkowski receiving about 8%.

Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michele Bachmann	151,248	50.1
	Democratic (DFL)	Patty Wetterling	127,144	42.1
	Independence	John Paul Binkowski	23,557	7.8
	Write-in		239	0.1
Total votes			302,188	100.0
	Republican hold

District 7

2006 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election

Nominee Collin Peterson Michael J. Barrett Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 179,164 74,557 Percentage 69.7% 29.0%

Peterson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%     80–90% Peterson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Barrett:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Collin Peterson Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Collin Peterson Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 7th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.1% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of R+6. This conservative, rural district based in western Minnesota had tendency the district's to vote for Republicans at the national level, however Peterson had been able to hold on to his seat with ease since his first election in 1990.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Erik Thompson

Results

Democratic Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin C. Peterson	33,732	86.0
	Democratic (DFL)	Erik Thompson	5,476	14.0
Total votes			39,208	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Michael J. Barrett, pharmacist

Results

Republican Primary Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael J. Barrett	20,475	100.0
Total votes			20,475	100.0

General election

Results

Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin Peterson (Incumbent)	179,164	69.7
	Republican	Michael J. Barrett	74,557	29.0
	Constitution	Ken Lucier	3,303	1.3
	Write-in		170	0.1
Total votes			257,194	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 8

2006 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election

Nominee Jim Oberstar Rod Grams Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 180,670 97,683 Percentage 63.6% 34.4%

Oberstar:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Oberstar:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Grams:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Jim Oberstar Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 8th congressional district

This district covers the northeastern part of Minnesota and includes Duluth, Hibbing, and the Mesabi Range. Incumbent Democrat Jim Oberstar, who had represented the district since 1975, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 65.2% of the vote in 2008 and the district had a PVI of D+4.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rod Grams, former U.S. Senator

General election

Campaign

Oberstar sought a 17th term and faced former United States Senator Rod Grams, who lived outside the district and had represented the 6th district in Congress twelve years earlier.

Results

Despite Grams's high stature and name recognition, he posed no serious threat to Oberstar, who was re-elected in a landslide.

Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Jim Oberstar (incumbent)	180,670	63.6
	Republican	Rod Grams	97,683	34.4
	Unity	Harry Welty	5,508	1.9
	Write-in		155	0.1
Total votes			284,016	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold