2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Elections in Minnesota |
---|
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
[edit]Statewide
[edit]Party | Candidates | Votes[1][2] | 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 |
By district
[edit]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
[edit]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 |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Gregory Mikkelson
Results
[edit]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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Tim Walz, high school teacher and retired Army National Guard NCO
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz | 26,475 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 26,475 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Debate
[edit]- Complete video of debate, October 26, 2006
Campaign
[edit]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
[edit]Individuals
- Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[4]
Predictions
[edit]Source | 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
[edit]Walz 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
[edit]Nominee | John Kline | Coleen Rowley | |
---|---|---|---|
Party | Republican | Democratic (DFL) | |
Popular vote | 163,269 | 116,343 | |
Percentage | 56.2% | 40.0% |
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 |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and political activist[10]
General election
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]U.S. Representatives
- John Murtha (D-PA-12)
Individuals
- Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[11]
Predictions
[edit]Source | 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
[edit]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
[edit]Nominee | Jim Ramstad | Wendy Wilde | |
---|---|---|---|
Party | Republican | Democratic (DFL) | |
Popular vote | 184,333 | 99,588 | |
Percentage | 64.9% | 35.0% |
Ramstad: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Wilde: 50–60% 60–70%
Tie: 40–50%
U.S. Representative before election |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) | 17,579 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 17,579 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Wendy Wilde, local radio host
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Kevin Ray Smith
- Gavin Sullivan
Results
[edit]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
[edit]Results
[edit]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
[edit]Nominee | Betty McCollum | Obi Sium | |
---|---|---|---|
Party | Democratic (DFL) | Republican | |
Popular vote | 172,096 | 74,797 | |
Percentage | 69.5% | 30.2% |
McCollum: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%
Sium: 50–60%
U.S. Representative before election |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 37,397 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 37,397 | 100.0 |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[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
[edit]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
[edit]Results
[edit]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
[edit]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% |
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 |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[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
[edit]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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Alan Fine, businessman
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Alan Fine | 7,352 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 7,352 | 100.0 |
Independence primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[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
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Independence | Tammy Lee | 1,086 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 1,086 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]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.
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
[edit]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% |
U.S. Representative before election |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]Withdrawn
[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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- John Paul Binkowski, project coordinator for Johnson Controls[16]
General election
[edit]Campaign
[edit]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.[17]
Predictions
[edit]Source | 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
[edit]Despite 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 | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
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
[edit]Nominee | Collin Peterson | Michael J. Barrett | |
---|---|---|---|
Party | Democratic (DFL) | Republican | |
Popular vote | 179,164 | 74,557 | |
Percentage | 69.7% | 29.0% |
U.S. Representative before election |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Erik Thompson
Results
[edit]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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Michael J. Barrett, pharmacist
Results
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Michael J. Barrett | 20,475 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 20,475 | 100.0 |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]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
[edit]Nominee | Jim Oberstar | Rod Grams | |
---|---|---|---|
Party | Democratic (DFL) | Republican | |
Popular vote | 180,670 | 97,683 | |
Percentage | 63.6% | 34.4% |
U.S. Representative before election |
Elected U.S. Representative |
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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]General election
[edit]Campaign
[edit]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
[edit]Despite Grams's high stature and name recognition, he posed no serious threat to Oberstar, who was re-elected in a landslide.
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 |
References
[edit]- ^ Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006" (PDF). p. 22.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Home - Election Results".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Home - Election Results".
- ^ "Tim Walz (MN-1) | WesPAC". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
- ^ a b c "2006 Competitive House Race Chart" (PDF). House: Race Ratings. Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "2006 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "2006 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Balance of Power Scorecard: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Mark Zdechlik Kline, Rowley provide clear choice on Iraq Minnesota Public Radio, July 26, 2006
- ^ "Patty Wetterling (MN-6) | WesPAC". Archived from the original on November 4, 2006.
- ^ Linkins, Jason (May 20, 2010). "Support Jack Shepard, The Arsonist, For Congress". The Huffington Post.
- ^ a b c d Pugmire, Tim (May 6, 2006). "Bachmann wins GOP endorsement for U.S. House in 6th District". MPR News. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Scheck, Tom (June 14, 2005). "Tinklenberg enters 6th District congressional race". MPR News. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c McCallum, Laura (May 14, 2006). "Wetterling wins 6th District DFL endorsement". MPR News. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ^ Croman, John (October 10, 2006). "Are third party candidates relevant?". KARE. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
- ^ "God not choosing sides in 6th, Bachmann says". November 2, 2006.
- ^ "Bachmann retains 6th District seat for GOP". November 8, 2006.
General elections | |
---|---|
|
Municipal elections | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|