2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

2008 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee Tim Walz Brian J. Davis Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 207,753 109,453 Percentage 62.5% 32.9%

County results Walz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Precinct results Walz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Davis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

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

This district extended across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border of Wisconsin. DFLer Tim Walz defeated 6-term Republican Gil Gutknecht in 2006 in somewhat of a surprise victory. Walz had no opponent in the race for the DFL nomination for the seat in the September 12, 2006 primary election. He beat incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht in the general election by a margin of 53% to 47%. Walz is a former teacher and Command Sergeant Major in the National Guard.[2] The district is rated as an R+1 on the CPVI scale.[3] Incumbent Tim Walz was opposed by Brian Davis, a Mayo Clinic physician, who was endorsed by the CD1 Republican Party and Independence Party of Minnesota candidate, Greg Mikkelson. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Leans Democratic'. Walz won the 2008 race, garnering 62.5% of the vote.[4]

2008 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee John Kline Steve Sarvi Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 220,924 164,093 Percentage 57.3% 42.5%

Precinct results Kline:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Sarvi:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      50%      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. Republican John Kline held on to the second district seat in 2006, defeating DFL challenger, former FBI agent, Coleen Rowley. The district leans Republican with a CPVI of R+3,[3] and Kline's unwavering support for Bush and the Iraq War did not make him too vulnerable to a challenger in 2008.[7] On October 4, 2007, Iraq War veteran Steve Sarvi announced he would challenge Kline for the seat. His experience also includes being mayor of Watertown, Minnesota and city administrator for Victoria, Minnesota. He believed that a change in U.S. policy in Iraq was needed.[8] On May 3, Sarvi was endorsed by the 2nd District DFL party.[9] Sarvi was also endorsed by the Independence Party of Minnesota. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Republican Favored'. Kline won the 2008 race, garnering 57.3% of the vote.[4]

2008 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee Erik Paulsen Ashwin Madia David Dillon Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence Popular vote 178,932 150,787 38,970 Percentage 48.5% 40.9% 10.7%

Precinct results Paulsen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Madia:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

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

This district encompasses the suburbs of Hennepin County to the north, west, and south of Minneapolis. Republican 9-term incumbent Jim Ramstad announced on September 17, 2007 that he would not seek reelection in 2008.[10] Erik Paulsen, a Republican who was the majority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives when the Republicans held a majority was opposed by DFLer, Ashwin Madia who is an Iraq War veteran.[11] David Dillon of the Independence Party of Minnesota (campaign website) and Harley Swarm of the Constitution Party (campaign website) also competed.[12] The district is rated as an R+1 on the CPVI scale,[3] indicating a district that could swing toward either party. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'No Clear Favorite'. Paulsen won the 2008 race, garnering 48.5% of the vote.[4]

2008 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee Betty McCollum Ed Matthews Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 216,267 98,936 Percentage 68.4% 31.3%

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

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. It is held by the solidly progressive 4-term DFLer, Betty McCollum. The district is rated a secure D+13 on the CPVI scale,[3] posing a formidable barrier to any potential Republican challengers. Ed Matthews, an attorney, was the Republican candidate. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'. McCollum won the 2008 race, garnering 68.4% of the vote.[4]

2008 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee Keith Ellison Barb Davis White Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 216,267 71,020 Percentage 70.9% 22.0%

Precinct results Ellison:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election Keith Ellison 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. With the 2007 retirement of Martin Sabo, the opportunity presented itself for Keith Ellison to compete for Sabo's seat against several aspirants. He is the first African American U.S. Representative from Minnesota and the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress. Like McCollum, Ellison is also a solidly progressive legislator, which is in keeping with the district, rating D+21 on the CPVI scale.[3] He was challenged by Republican Barb Davis White, a minister, author, and civil rights activist.[13] The Independence Party of Minnesota candidate was Bill McGaughey. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

2008 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee Michele Bachmann El Tinklenberg Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 187,817 175,786 Percentage 46.4% 43.4%

Precinct results Bachmann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tinklenberg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

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

This district includes most or all of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. First-term Republican Michele Bachmann won a hard-fought battle against Patty Wetterling in 2006, with the help of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney campaigning on her behalf[15] and a multimillion-dollar warchest.[16] With a CPVI of R+5,[3] the district posed an uphill battle for the DFL challenger, former state transportation commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg (DFL).[17] On April 26, 2008, the 6th District DFL endorsed Tinklenberg for this race, as did the Independence Party of Minnesota although Bob Anderson was running as an INDC candidate.

Bachmann's charges about "anti-American views" shifted the political dynamics of this campaign, giving a lift to Tinklenberg's candidacy and attracting $1.3 million in new contributions, plus $1 million from the DNC. At the same time the RNC withdrew media buys on behalf of Bachmann.[18] CQ Politics changed its forecast from 'Republican Favored' to 'Leans Republican' on October 20, and then to 'No Clear Favorite' on October 28. The Cook Political Report then rated it as 'Republican Toss Up'.[19] Despite the controversy, Bachmann won the 2008 race, garnering 46.4% of the vote to Tinklenberg's 43.4% and Anderson's 10%.[4]

2008 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election

Nominee Collin Peterson Glen Menze Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 227,187 87,062 Percentage 72.2% 27.7%

County results Peterson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Precinct results Peterson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Menze:      50–60%      60–70%      No votes

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

This district covers almost all of the western side of Minnesota from the Canada–US border down to Lincoln County and is the largest district in the state. As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, 9-term DFLer Collin Peterson is at home in his mostly-agricultural district. Although

the district leaned Republican with a CPVI of R+6,[3] Peterson's social conservatism and farmer/labor DFL values served him well in his district. He won with 70% of the vote in 2006. Republican Glen Menze challenged Peterson. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

2008 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election

November 4, 2008

Nominee Jim Oberstar Michael Cummins Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 241,831 114,871 Percentage 67.7% 32.2%

Precinct results Oberstar:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Cummins:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      50%      No votes

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. Seventeen-term veteran DFLer, Jim Oberstar was Minnesota's senior representative. In 2006, former Republican U.S. Senator Rod Grams challenged Oberstar, garnering 34% of the vote. In 2008, 74-year-old Oberstar maintained his popularity among his constituency. The district leaned Democratic with a CPVI of D+4[3] owing to the loyalty of miners, loggers, and farmers to the DFL. Republican, Michael Cummins ran against Oberstar. On May 3, 2008, the 8th District DFL endorsed Oberstar for another term. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

• United States House of Representatives elections, 2008
• United States presidential election in Minnesota, 2008
• United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008
• Minnesota House of Representatives election, 2008

• Election Center from the Minnesota Secretary of State
• Minnesota U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
• Campaign contributions for Minnesota congressional races from OpenSecrets