2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

File:MN-districts-natat.JPG

Map of Minnesota showing all eight districts

The 2008 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 4, 2008. All 8 congressional seats that make up the state's delegation were contested. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th United States Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

The 2008 presidential election, 2008 Senate election (for the seat held by Republican Norm Coleman), and 2008 Minnesota Legislature elections occurred on the same date, as well as many local elections and ballot initiatives.

The 110th congressional delegation from the U.S. state of Minnesota had three Republicans and five Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members (DFLers). Six were men; two were women. Three were freshmen in the 110th congress. The veterans ranged in experience from Jim Oberstar with 33 years of experience and the chairman of the Transportation Committee, to John Kline with just four years of experience.

Overview

Statewide

Party		Candidates	Votes		Seats
			No.	%	No.	+/–	%
style="background:Template:Party color;" |	Democratic-Farmer-Labor	8	1,612,480	57.53	5	Steady	62.50
style="background:Template:Party color;" |	Republican	8	1,069,015	38.14	3	Steady	37.50
style="background:Template:Party color;" |	Independence	4	116,835	4.17	0	Steady	0.0
style="background:Template:Party color;" |	Write-in	8	4,284	0.15	0	Steady	0.0
Total		28	2,802,614	100.0	8	Steady	100.0

Popular vote Democratic   57.53% Republican   38.14% Independence   4.17% Other   0.15%

House seats Democratic   62.50% Republican   37.50%

By district

Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:

District	Democratic		Republican		Others		Total		Result
	scope=col colspan=2 style="background:Template:Party color"|	scope=col colspan=2 style="background:Template:Party color"|
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
District 1	207,753	62.50%	109,453	32.93%	15,194	4.57%	332,400	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 2	164,093	42.55%	220,924	57.29%	639	0.16%	385,656	100.0%	Republican hold
District 3	150,787	40.85%	178,932	48.48%	39,385	10.67%	369,104	100.0%	Republican hold
District 4	216,267	68.44%	98,936	31.31%	815	0.26%	316,018	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 5	228,776	70.88%	71,020	22.00%	22,951	7.12%	322,747	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 6	175,786	43.43%	187,817	46.41%	41,122	10.15%	404,725	100.0%	Republican hold
District 7	227,187	72.20%	87,062	27.67%	431	0.14%	314,680	100.0%	Democratic hold
District 8	241,831	67.69%	114,871	32.15%	582	0.16%	357,284	100.0%	Democratic hold
Total	1,612,480	57.53%	1,069,015	38.14%	121,119	4.32%	2,802,614	100.0%

District 1

This district extended across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democrat Tim Walz, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 53% of the vote in 2006, defeating 6-term Republican Gil Gutknecht in somewhat of a surprise victory. The district had a PVI of R+1.

Democratic primary

Walz, a former teacher and Command Sergeant Major in the National Guard had no opponent in the race for the DFL nomination for the seat in the September 12, 2008 primary election.

Candidates

Nominee

• Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Tim Walz (Incumbent)		100.0
Total votes				100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Brian J. Davis, Mayo Clinic physician

Eliminated in primary

• Dick Day, state senator and former state senator Majority Leader (1997–2007)

Withdrawn

• Randy Demmer, state representative
• Mark Meyer, actuary, lawyer and member of the Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial School Board

Results

Republican primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Brian J. Davis		66.7
		Dick Day		33.0
Total votes				100.0

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gregory Mikkelson

Results

Independence primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Gregory Mikkelson		100.0
Total votes				100.0

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg	Template:USRaceRating	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008

Results

Walz won a second term, garnering 62.5% of the vote.

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Tim Walz (Incumbent)		62.5
		Brian J. Davis		32.9
		Gregory Mikkelson		4.5
Total votes				100.0
	hold

District 2

File:MN02 109.png

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 56.2% of the vote in 2006. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Republican primary

Republican John Kline held on to the second district seat in 2006, defeating DFL challenger, former FBI agent, Coleen Rowley. The district Republican lean, Kline's unwavering support for Bush and the Iraq War did not make him appear too vulnerable to a challenger in 2008.

Candidates

Nominee

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

On October 4, 2007, Iraq War veteran Steve Sarvi announced he would challenge Kline for the seat. His experience also included being mayor of Watertown, Minnesota and city administrator for Victoria, Minnesota. He believed that a change in U.S. policy in Iraq was needed. On May 3, Sarvi was endorsed by the 2nd District DFL party. He was also endorsed by the Independence Party of Minnesota.

Candidates

Nominee

• Steve Sarvi, Iraq War veteran and former Mayor of Watertown

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg	Template:USRaceRating	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008

Results

Kline won garnering 57.3% of the vote.

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		John Kline (Incumbent)		57.3
		Steve Sarvi		42.5
Total votes				100.0
	hold

District 3

File:MN03.gif

This district encompasses the suburbs of Hennepin County to the north, west, and south of Minneapolis. Incumbent Republican Jim Ramstad, who had represented the district since 1991, announced on September 17, 2007, that he would not seek re-election in 2008. He was re-elected with 64.9% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of Even.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Erik Paulsen, state representative from district 42B since 1995, and former Minnesota House Majority Leader (2003–2007)

Results

Republican primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Erik Paulsen		100.0
Total votes				100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ashwin Madia, attorney and Iraq War veteran

Withdrawn

• Terri Bonoff, state senator
• Jim Hovland, Mayor of Edina (withdrew March 2008)

Results

Democratic primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Ashwin Madia		100.0
Total votes				100.0

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• David Dillon, businessman

Eliminated in primary

• Steev Ramsdell

Results

Independence primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		David Dillon		72.8
		Steev Ramsdell		27.2
Total votes				100.0

Constitution primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Harley Swarm

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Erik Paulsen (R)	Ashwin Madia (D)	David Dillon (IP)	Undecided
SurveyUSA	October 29–30, 2008	647	± 3.9%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	41%	10%	3%
SurveyUSA	October 26–27, 2008	643	± 3.9%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	44%	9%	2%
SurveyUSA	October 6–7, 2008	634	± 4.0%	43%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	8%	3%
Bennett, Petts and Normington (D-DCCC)	September 29–30, 2008	400	± 4.9%	39%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 44%	8%	9%
SurveyUSA	August 26–28, 2008	636	± 4.0%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 44%	41%	10%	6%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg	Template:USRaceRating	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008

Results

Paulsen won the 2008 race, garnering 48.5% of the vote.

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Erik Paulsen		48.5
		Ashwin Madia		40.9
		David Dillon		10.6
Total votes				100.0
	hold

District 4

File:MN04.gif

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 69.5% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+13.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ed Matthews, attorney

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

McCollum won the race, garnering 68.4% of the vote.

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Betty McCollum (Incumbent)		68.4
		Ed Matthews		31.3
Total votes				100.0
	hold

District 5

File:United States House of Representatives, Minnesota District 5 map.png

This district covers eastern Hennepin County, including the entire city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, along with parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. Incumbent Democrat Keith Ellison, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 55.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+21. He was the first African American U.S. Representative from Minnesota as well as the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gregg A. Iverson

Results

Democratic primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Keith Ellison		84.5
		Gregg A. Iverson		15.5
Total votes				100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Barb Davis White, minister, author, and civil rights activist

Results

Republican primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Barb Davis White		100.0
Total votes				100.0

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill McGaughey

Results

Independence Party primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Bill McGaughey		100.0
Total votes				100.0

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Keith Ellison (Incumbent)		70.9
		Barb Davis White		22.0
		Bill McGaughey		6.9
Total votes				100.0
	hold

District 6

File:MN06 109.png

This district includes most or all of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. Incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. She was elected with 50.1% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+5.

Republican primary

Bachmann won a hard-fought battle against Patty Wetterling in 2006, with the help of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney campaigning on her behalf and a multimillion-dollar warchest.

Candidates

Nominee

• Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Aubrey Immelman

Results

Republican primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Michele Bachmann (Incumbent)		85.9
		Aubrey Immelman		14.1
Total votes				100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation (1999–2002), former Mayor of Blaine, former Methodist minister and candidate for this seat in 2006

Withdrawn

• Bob Olson, banker, tax lawyer and nominee for this seat in 1994

Results

Democratic primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		El Tinklenberg		100.0
Total votes				100.0

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Anderson

Results

Independence Party primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Bob Anderson		100.0
Total votes				100.0

General election

Campaign

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.

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Michele Bachmann (R)	Elwyn Tinklenberg (D)	Bob Anderson (IP)	Undecided
SurveyUSA	October 29–30, 2008	625	± 4.0%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	45%	6%	3%
Minnesota Public Radio	October 21–23, 2008	430	± 4.7%	43%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	5%	7%
SurveyUSA	October 21–22, 2008	621	± 4.0%	44%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	6%	2%
Grove Insight (D-DCCC)	October 10–12, 2008	400	± 4.9%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 42%	38%	5%	15%

Predictions

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'.

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg	Template:USRaceRating	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics	Template:USRaceRating	November 6, 2008

Results

Despite the controversy, Bachmann was re-elected, garnering 46.4% of the vote to Tinklenberg's 43.4% and Anderson's 10%.

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Michele Bachmann (Incumbent)		46.4
		Elwyn Tinklenberg		43.4
		Bob Anderson		10.0
Total votes				100.00
	hold

District 7

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. Incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69.7% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+6.

Democratic primary

As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, 9-term DFLer Collin Peterson is at home in this mostly-agricultural district. Although the district leans Republican, Peterson's social conservatism and farmer/labor DFL values served him well in his district.

Candidates

Nominee

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent)		100.0
Total votes				100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Glen Menze, accountant and nominee for this seat in 2000

Eliminated in primary

• Alan Roebke, farmer and convicted felon

Results

Republican primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Glen Menze		51.8
		Alan Roebke		48.2
Total votes				100.0

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent)		72.2
		Glen Menze		27.7
Total votes				100.0
	hold

District 8

File:United States House of Representatives, Minnesota District 8 map.gif

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 63.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+4.

Democratic primary

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 owing to the loyalty of miners, loggers, and farmers to the DFL.

On May 3, 2008, the 8th District DFL endorsed Oberstar for another term.

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Michael Cummins, small business owner

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

Template:Election box write-in with party link no change

Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		James L. Oberstar (Incumbent)		67.7
		Michael Cummins		32.2
Total votes				100.0
	hold

See also

• 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

External links

• 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