2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

Overview

Statewide

By district

Results of the 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:

District 1

Gutknecht:
Tie:
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

Candidates

Nominee

• Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gregory Mikkelson, small business owner, farmer, Green nominee for this seat in 2002 and Independence nominee for this seat in 2004

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

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

Results

General election

Campaign

Walz accused Gutknecht of extending tax cuts to "Wall Street" and sought to tie Gutknecht to the unpopular President George W. Bush. A centerpiece of Walz's campaign was his opposition to the Iraq War, as the war's popularity was on the decline.

Endorsements

Organizations

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Individuals

• Wesley Clark, retired Army General and 2004 democratic presidential candidate

Debate

• Complete video of debate, October 26, 2006

Polling

Predictions

Results

Walz upset Gutknecht by a margin of 5.6%. After his defeat, Gutknecht admitted to Politico that he had been caught "off guard" by Walz.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 2

Kline:
Rowley:

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

Candidates

Nominee

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

In May 2005, Rowley announced that she was considering running against incumbent Kline. At the time of her announcement, she had been living in Apple Valley, Minnesota, for 15 years and had formerly voted and identified as a Republican, but on June 27, she announced that she was entering the race as a DFLer, and on July 6 officially kicked off her campaign at her home. On August 18, Rowley attended a vigil in Crawford, Texas, outside President George W. Bush's ranch requesting that the president meet with Cindy Sheehan to answer Sheehan's questions about the War in Iraq and the death of Sheehan's son, Casey.

Candidates

Nominee

• Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and political activist

Withdrawn

• Sharon Marko, state senator

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Doug Williams, perennial candidate

General election

Campaign

On January 3, 2006, an unauthorized professionally retouched image appeared on Rowley's campaign website, depicting Kline, a retired Marine Corps colonel, as Colonel Klink from Hogan's Heroes. Kline objected to the photo and the Rowley campaign removed the image the same day and initiated an investigation. Rowley quickly apologized.

The Rowley campaign found financing difficult, as opposing an incumbent conservative such as Kline in a conservative district, despite the national environment favouring the Democrats, did not attract money from the most robust Democratic resources, such as the DNC. Ultimately Kline's campaign achieved a 2–1 advantage in raising funds.

Endorsements

U.S. Representatives

• John Murtha (D-PA-12)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Individuals

• Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate

Polling

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 3

Ramstad:
Wilde:
Tie:

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

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Wendy Wilde, broadcaster, news anchor and talk show host

Eliminated in primary

• Kevin Ray Smith, neuromuscular massage therapist
• Gavin Sullivan, services coordinator

Results

General election

Endorsements

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

;Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 4

McCollum:
Sium:

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

Candidates

Nominee

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Obi Sium, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources employee

Eliminated in primary

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

Results

General election

Endorsements

;Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 5

Ellison:
Fine:
Lee:

Main article: 2006 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

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

Candidates

Nominee

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

Eliminated in primary

• Mike Erlandson, former chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party; former Chief of Staff to Martin Olav Sabo
• Andrew Vincent Favorite, businessman and former U.S. Navy reservist
• Gregg A. Iverson, perennial candidate and U.S. Army veteran
• Ember Reichgott Junge, former state senator from district 46 (1983–2001)
• Paul Ostrow, member of the Minneapolis City Council
• Patrick J. Wiles, former member of the United Auto Workers Local 879 executive board

Withdrew before primary

• Gail Dorfman, member of the Hennepin County Commission (endorsed Ellison)
• Anne Knapp, former Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Employment Security (endorsed Saavedra)
• Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Associate Professor of Justice and Peace Studies at the University of St. Thomas*(endorsed Ellison)*
• Jon Olson, President of the Minneapolis Parks Board
• Jorge Saavedra, attorney (endorsed Ellison)
• Gary Schiff, member of the Minneapolis City Council
• Erik Thompson, activist (ran in the 7th district)

Declined

• Mark Andrew, former chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
• Sharon Sayles Belton, former mayor of Minneapolis
• Scott Benson, member of the Minneapolis City Council
• Satveer Chaudhary, state senator
• Scott Dibble, state senator (endorsed Dorfman)
• Betty Folliard, former state representative
• Lisa Goodman, member of the Minneapolis City Council
• Margaret Anderson Kelliher, state representative (endorsed Ellison)
• Peter McLaughlin, member of the Hennepin County Commission
• Mike Opat, member of the Hennepin County Commission (endorsed Dorfman, then Erlandson)
• R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis
• Martin Olav Sabo, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Julie Sabo, former state senator, daughter of Rep Sabo and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2002

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Alan Fine, business consultant and senior lecturer at the Carlson School of Management

Withdrawn

• Tim Anderson
• James Turnham

Results

Green primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jay Pond, video editing, production business owner and nominee for this seat in 2004

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• 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

General election

Endorsements

;Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Polling

Predictions

Results

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.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 6

Main article: 2006 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

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 2001, 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

Candidates

Nominee

• Michele Bachmann, state senator

Withdrawn

• Jay Esmay, businessman
• Phil Krinkie, state representative
• Jim Knoblach, state representative
• Cheri Yecke, former Minnesota Commissioner of Education

Declined

• Michelle Fischbach, state senator
• Rod Grams, former U.S. Senator (ran for U.S. Senate and then ran for 8th district)
• Mark Kennedy, incumbent U.S. Representative (running for U.S. Senate)
• Mary Kiffmeyer, Minnesota Secretary of State
• Dave Kleis, state senator (ran for Mayor of St. Cloud)
• Dan Nygaard, chair of the 6th district Republican Party
• Mark Ourada, state senator

Democratic primary

Patty Wetterling who had run a competitive race in 2004 initially opted to run the vacant Senate seat before dropping out and switching to running for the 6th again.

Candidates

Nominee

• Patty Wetterling, national advocate of children's safety and nominee for this seat in 2004

Withdrawn

• Scott Mortensen
• Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Mayor of Blaine (endorsed Wetterling)

Declined

• John Ellenbecke, Mayor of St. Cloud
• Ted Thompson, banker, former chief of staff to Bill Luther and candidate for this seat in 2004

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Binkowski, project coordinator for Johnson Controls

General election

Campaign

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.

Endorsements

;Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Polling

Predictions

Results

Despite polling that indicated that the race would be close, and although this was the most expensive House race in Minnesota, Bachmann defeated Wetterling by a large margin, with Binkowski receiving about 8%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 7

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 tended 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

Candidates

Nominee

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Erik Thompson, banker

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Michael Barrett, pharmacist

Results

Constitution primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ken Lucier, retired U.S. Postal Service employee

General election

Endorsements

;Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Predictions

Results

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

District 8

Oberstar: |County results |[[File:MN8 House 2006.svg|250px]] Oberstar:
Grams:
Tie: |Precinct results |default=1}}

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 2004 and the district had a PVI of D+4.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rod Grams, former U.S. Senator

Other Candidates

• Harry Welty (Unity), Duluth School Board member and perennial candidate

General election

Campaign

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.

Endorsements

;Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

;Newspapers and publications

• Esquire

Predictions

Results

Despite Grams's high stature and name recognition, he posed no serious threat to Oberstar, who was re-elected in a landslide.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

Notes

References

References

1. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006".
2. "Home - Election Results".
3. (8 September 2006). "PROFILES Gutknecht, Mikkelson seek GOP banner". Post-Bulletin.
4. Green, Joshua. (January 1, 2006). "Company, Left". The Atlantic.
5. "Home - Election Results".
6. Bonorden, Lee. (December 28, 2005). "DFL hopeful accuses Gutknecht of extending tax cuts to wealthy". [[Austin Daily Herald]].
7. Norris, Michele. (November 3, 2006). "Minnesota House Seat May Depend on War Issues". [[NPR]].
8. (17 October 2006). "Minn. Roundup: Walz a Legit Barrier to Gutknecht in 1st District". NYT/CQPolitics.
9. (17 October 2006). "U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Gutknecht". Albert Lea Tribune.
10. "2006 Candidates - House Races". AFL-CIO.
11. "Our Red to Blue Candidates". DCCC.
12. (November 1, 2006). "Esquire Endorses America".
13. "Tim Walz (MN-1) | WesPAC".
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20. "Balance of Power Scorecard: House". Congressional Quarterly Inc.
21. (November 8, 2006). "Gutknecht is out as voters send Walz to Congress". [[Albert Lea Tribune]].
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24. Mark Zdechlik [http://www.mprnews.org/story/2006/07/26/seconddistrict Kline, Rowley provide clear choice on Iraq] Minnesota Public Radio, July 26, 2006
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26. Gordon, Greg. (January 30, 2006). "Rowley issues apology to Rep. John Kline over his depiction on website". Star Tribune.
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35. (2006). "Results for US Representative District 05". [[Minnesota Secretary of State]].
36. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Ember Reichgott Junge". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
37. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Paul Ostrow". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
38. (September 6, 2006). "U.S. House of Representatives". Star Tribune.
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40. (May 7, 2006). "DFLers pick Ellison to replace Sabo". Star Tribune.
41. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Anne Knapp". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
42. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
43. (May 7, 2006). "Ellison wins DFL endorsement to succeed Sabo".
44. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Jon Olson". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
45. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Jorge Saavedra". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
46. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Gary Schiff". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
47. "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 7th District: Erik Thompson". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
48. (March 18, 2006). "Tearful Martin Sabo announces retirement from Congress".
49. (March 21, 2006). "Dorfman enters race for Sabo's seat".
50. (2006). "5th District: Alan Fine".
51. (May 3, 2006). "5th District drop-out".
52. (March 27, 2006). "Sabo is out; who will be in?".
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54. (May 6, 2006). "Bachmann wins GOP endorsement for U.S. House in 6th District".
55. (June 14, 2005). "Tinklenberg enters 6th District congressional race".
56. (14 February 2005). "Republicans Declare, Democrats Await Wetterling". Roll Call.
57. (8 November 2004). "Patty Wetterling could be in strong position for 2006". Post-Bulletin.
58. (25 February 2005). "Wetterling Readies Senate Bid". Roll Call.
59. (May 14, 2006). "Wetterling wins 6th District DFL endorsement".
60. (2 November 2006). "God not choosing sides in 6th, Bachmann says".
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72. (8 November 2006). "Bachmann retains 6th District seat for GOP".
73. (26 April 2006). "Grams may challenge Oberstar". Associated Press.