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.
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All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
editStatewide
editParty | Candidates | Votes[1][2] | Seats | ||||
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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 |
By district
editResults of the 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:
District | Democratic | Republican | Others | Total | Result | ||||
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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
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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 | |||||||||||||||||
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
edit- Gregory Mikkelson
Results
editParty | 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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Tim Walz, high school teacher and retired military officer
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz | 26,475 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 26,475 | 100.0 |
General election
editCampaign
editIn 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
edit- Individuals
- Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[4]
Predictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[5] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
Rothenberg[6] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[7] | Tilt R | November 6, 2006 |
Real Clear Politics[8] | Lean R | November 7, 2006 |
CQ Politics[9] | Lean R | November 7, 2006 |
Results
editWalz upset Gutknecht by a margin of 5.6%.
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
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Precinct results Kline: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Rowley: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and political activist[10]
General election
editEndorsements
edit- U.S. Representatives
- John Murtha (D-PA-12)
- Individuals
- Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[11]
Predictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[5] | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
Rothenberg[6] | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[7] | Likely R | November 6, 2006 |
Real Clear Politics[8] | Safe R | November 7, 2006 |
CQ Politics[9] | Likely R | November 7, 2006 |
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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Precinct results Ramstad: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Wilde: 50–60% 60–70% Tie: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||
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This conservative district that 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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) | 17,579 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 17,579 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Wendy Wilde, local radio host
Eliminated in primary
edit- Kevin Ray Smith
- Gavin Sullivan
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
editResults
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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Precinct results McCollum: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Sium: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 37,397 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 37,397 | 100.0 |
Republican primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Obi Sium, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources employee
Eliminated in primary
edit- Jack Shepard, fugitive, alleged arsonist, and former Minneapolis dentist who fled the country after allegedly attempting to burn down his own dental office[12]
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Obi Sium | 8,802 | 64.2 | |
Republican | Jack Shepard | 4,908 | 35.8 | |
Total votes | 13,710 | 100.0 |
General election
editResults
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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Precinct results Ellison: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Fine: 30–40% 40–50% Lee: 30–40% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Keith Ellison, state representative from district 58B since 2003
Eliminated in primary
edit- 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
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Alan Fine, businessman
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Alan Fine | 7,352 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 7,352 | 100.0 |
Independence primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- 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
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Independence | Tammy Lee | 1,086 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 1,086 | 100.0 |
General election
editResults
editDespite a surprisingly strong performance by Lee, Ellison emerged victorious, and became the first African-American Congressman from Minnesota and the first Muslim in Congress.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
editWithdrawn
edit- Jay Esmay, businessman[13]
- Phil Krinkie, state representative[13]
- Jim Knoblach, state representative[13]
- Cheri Yecke, former Minnesota Commissioner of Education[14]
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Patty Wetterling, national advocate of children's safety and nominee for this seat in 2004[15] (endorsed Wetterling)[15]
Withdrawn
edit- Scott Mortensen[14]
- Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Mayor of Blaine[15]
Independence primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- John Paul Binkowski, project coordinator for Johnson Controls[16]
General election
editCampaign
editDuring 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.[17]
Predictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[5] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
Rothenberg[6] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[7] | Tilt R | November 6, 2006 |
Real Clear Politics[8] | Lean R | November 7, 2006 |
CQ Politics[9] | Tossup | November 7, 2006 |
Results
editDespite polling that indicated that the race would be close, and although this was the most expensive House race in Minnesota,[18] Bachmann defeated Wetterling by a large margin, with Binkowski receiving about 8%.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
edit- Erik Thompson
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Michael J. Barrett, pharmacist
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Michael J. Barrett | 20,475 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 20,475 | 100.0 |
General election
editResults
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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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
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative
Republican primary
editCandidates
editNominee
editGeneral election
editCampaign
editOberstar 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
editDespite Grams's high stature and name recognition, he posed no serious threat to Oberstar, who was re-elected in a landslide.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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 |