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2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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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.

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota
← 2004 November 7, 2006 (2006-11-07) 2008 →
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 Increase1 Decrease1
Popular vote 1,152,621 924,636
Percentage 52.90% 42.43%
Swing Increase1.48% Decrease2.99%
Map of Minnesota showing all eight districts

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

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Statewide

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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
Popular vote
Democratic
 
 52.90%
Republican
 
 42.43%
Independence
 
 3.94%
Other
 
 0.73%
House seats
Democratic
 
 62.50%
Republican
 
 37.50%

By district

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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

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2006 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
     
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Gregory Mikkelson

Results

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Republican Primary Election [3]
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Democratic Primary Election [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz 26,475 100.0
Total votes 26,475 100.0

General election

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Debate

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Campaign

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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
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Tim Walz (D)

Individuals

Predictions

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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

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Walz upset Gutknecht by a margin of 5.6%.

Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2006[2]
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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2006 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
     
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Endorsements

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Coleen Rowley (D)

U.S. Representatives

Individuals

Predictions

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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

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Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2006[2]
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

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2006 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
     
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Republican Primary Election [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) 17,579 100.0
Total votes 17,579 100.0

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Wendy Wilde, local radio host
Eliminated in primary
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  • Kevin Ray Smith
  • Gavin Sullivan

Results

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Democratic Primary Election [3]
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

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Results

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Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2006 [2]
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

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2006 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
     
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Democratic Primary Election [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Betty McCollum (Incumbent) 37,397 100.0
Total votes 37,397 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • 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

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Republican Primary Election [3]
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

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Results

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Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2006[2]
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

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2006 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
       
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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Results

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Democratic Primary Election[3]
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Alan Fine, businessman

Results

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Republican Primary Election [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alan Fine 7,352 100.0
Total votes 7,352 100.0

Independence primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Independence Party Primary Election [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independence Tammy Lee 1,086 100.0
Total votes 1,086 100.0

General election

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Results

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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[2]
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

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2006 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
       
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Withdrawn
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Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Withdrawn
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Independence primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Campaign

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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

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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

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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%.

Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2006 [2]
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

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2006 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
     
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Erik Thompson

Results

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Democratic Primary Election [3]
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Michael J. Barrett, pharmacist

Results

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Republican Primary Election [3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael J. Barrett 20,475 100.0
Total votes 20,475 100.0

General election

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Results

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Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2006 [2]
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

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2006 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election
 
← 2004
2008 →
     
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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Campaign

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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

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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 [2]
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

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  1. ^ Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006" (PDF). p. 22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Home - Election Results".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Home - Election Results".
  4. ^ "Tim Walz (MN-1) | WesPAC". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b c "2006 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Mark Zdechlik Kline, Rowley provide clear choice on Iraq Minnesota Public Radio, July 26, 2006
  11. ^ "Patty Wetterling (MN-6) | WesPAC". Archived from the original on November 4, 2006.
  12. ^ Linkins, Jason (May 20, 2010). "Support Jack Shepard, The Arsonist, For Congress". The Huffington Post.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ a b Scheck, Tom (June 14, 2005). "Tinklenberg enters 6th District congressional race". MPR News. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c McCallum, Laura (May 14, 2006). "Wetterling wins 6th District DFL endorsement". MPR News. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  16. ^ Croman, John (October 10, 2006). "Are third party candidates relevant?". KARE. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  17. ^ "God not choosing sides in 6th, Bachmann says". November 2, 2006.
  18. ^ "Bachmann retains 6th District seat for GOP". November 8, 2006.
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