2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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 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%

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v t e

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.

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%

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%

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%

County results Precinct results 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)

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.

• Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Gregory Mikkelson

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

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

Democratic Primary Election ^[3]

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

• Complete video of debate, October 26, 2006

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.

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

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

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

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.

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and political activist^[10]

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

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

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

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.

• Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican Primary Election ^[3]

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

• Wendy Wilde, local radio host

• Kevin Ray Smith
• Gavin Sullivan

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

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

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)

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.

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic Primary Election ^[3]

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

• Obi Sium, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources employee

• Jack Shepard, fugitive, alleged arsonist, and former Minneapolis dentist who fled the country after allegedly attempting to burn down his own dental office^[12]

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

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

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)

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.

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

• 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

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

• Alan Fine, businessman

Republican Primary Election ^[3]

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

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

Independence Party Primary Election ^[3]

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

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

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

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

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.

• Michele Bachmann, state senator^[13]

• Jay Esmay, businessman^[13]
• Phil Krinkie, state representative^[13]
• Jim Knoblach, state representative^[13]
• Cheri Yecke, former Minnesota Commissioner of Education^[14]

• Patty Wetterling, national advocate of children's safety and nominee for this seat in 2004^[15] (endorsed Wetterling)^[15]

• Scott Mortensen^[14]
• Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Mayor of Blaine^[15]

• John Paul Binkowski, project coordinator for Johnson Controls^[16]

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]

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

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

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% County results 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 Precinct results

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

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.

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Erik Thompson

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

• Michael J. Barrett, pharmacist

Republican Primary Election ^[3]

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

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

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% County results 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 Precinct results

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

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.

• Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Rod Grams, former U.S. Senator

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.

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