2008_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Minnesota

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

Add article description


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.

Quick Facts All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives, Majority party ...
Map of Minnesota showing all eight districts

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

More information Party, Candidates ...
More information Popular vote ...
More information House seats ...

By district

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

More information District, Democratic ...

District 1

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2]

Democratic primary

Walz, a former teacher and Command Sergeant Major in the National Guard[3] had no opponent in the race for the DFL nomination for the seat in the September 12, 2008 primary election.

Candidates

Nominee

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Brian J. Davis, Mayo Clinic physician[5][6]
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Gregory Mikkelson

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

General election

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...

Results

Walz won a second term, garnering 62.5% of the vote.[13]

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 2

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2]

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.[15]

Candidates

Nominee

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.[16] On May 3, Sarvi was endorsed by the 2nd District DFL party.[17] He was also endorsed by the Independence Party of Minnesota.

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...

Results

Kline won garnering 57.3% of the vote.[13]

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 3

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[18] 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

More information Party, Candidate ...

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Withdrawn

Endorsements

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • David Dillon, businessman[29]
Eliminated in primary
  • Steev Ramsdell

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Constitution primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

General election

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...

Results

Paulsen won the 2008 race, garnering 48.5% of the vote.[13]

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 4

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

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.[13]

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 5

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2] 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
Eliminated in primary
  • Gregg A. Iverson

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Bill McGaughey

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 6

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2]

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[34] and a multimillion-dollar warchest.[35]

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Aubrey Immelman

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

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[36]
Withdrawn
  • Bob Olson, banker, tax lawyer and nominee for this seat in 1994[37][38]

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Bob Anderson

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

General election

Campaign

Bachmann's charges about "anti-American views" shifted the political dynamics of this campaign,[39] 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.[40]

Endorsements

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...

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'.[41]

More information Source, Ranking ...

Results

Despite the controversy, Bachmann was re-elected, garnering 46.4% of the vote to Tinklenberg's 43.4% and Anderson's 10%.[13]

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 7

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2]

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

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Glen Menze, accountant and nominee for this seat in 2000[42]
Eliminated in primary

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

District 8

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

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.[2]

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

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Michael Cummins, small business owner

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

See also


References

  1. "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". The Campaign Legal Center. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  2. Felker, Ed (January 5, 2007). "Walz pledges new direction in capital". Post-Bulletin Company, LLC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2007.
  3. Marie Horrigan (May 9, 2007). "GOP Crowd Forming for Shot at Freshman Walz in Minnesota 1". nytimes.com/. CQPolitics. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  4. Shira Toeplitz (March 31, 2008). "Minnesota: Local GOP Hopes Doc Has Cure for Walz Seat". rollcall.com/. Roll Call. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  5. Tom Scheck (February 20, 2008). "Dick Day heading to a primary". mprnews.org. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  6. "2008 Competitive House Race Chart". House: Race Ratings. Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  7. "2008 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  8. "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  9. "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  10. "Race Ratings Chart: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  11. "Election results: Minnesota: U.S. House". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  12. "Rep. Kline agrees with Iraq assessment". Minnesota Public Radio. September 11, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  13. "Iraq war vet to challenge Kline in Minnesota's 2nd District". Minnesota Public Radio. October 4, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  14. "DFL Party Congratulates Steve Sarvi on MN-2 Endorsement". Mn DFL Party. May 3, 2008. Archived from the original on May 7, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2008.
  15. Fred Frommer, Fred (September 17, 2007). "Ramstad announces his retirement from Congress". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  16. "Democrats endorse Madia in 3rd Congressional Dist". MPR News. December 4, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  17. Josh Kraushaar (April 15, 2008). "Minn. district's voters could turn right or left". politico.com/. Politico. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  18. "Democrat Bonoff to run for Congress in 3rd District". Minnesota Public Radio. October 5, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
  19. Tom Scheck (January 7, 2008). "Hovland announcement". mprnews.org. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  20. Shira Toeplitz (March 14, 2008). "Minnesota: Edina Mayor Suspends His Campaign for House". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  21. Demko, Paul (November 30, 2007). "AFSCME Endorses Bonoff, Tinkleberg". City Pages. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  22. Bonoff, Terri. "Terri Bonoff and Ashwin Madia the Differences are Big". Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  23. Bodell, Joe (February 5, 2008). "ACORN endorses Bonoff in 3rd district race". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  24. "Barb Davis White for Congress". Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  25. Grow, Doug (May 13, 2008). "Barb Davis White's underground campaign". MinnPost. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  26. Anderson, G.R. Jr. (October 4, 2006). "The Chosen One". City Pages. Vol. 27, no. 1348. City Pages (Minneapolis). Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  27. "Bachmann retains 6th District seat for GOP". Minnesota Public Radio. November 8, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  28. "Candidates lining up in the 6th, 3rd Congressional Districts". Minnesota Public Radio. September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  29. Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (July 13, 2007). "Minnesota Politics / Olson might take on Bachmann instead". twincities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  30. Curtis Gilbert (April 25, 2008). "Bachmann's DFL challengers face off Saturday". mprnews.org. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  31. Shira Toeplitz (October 20, 2008). "Bachmann in Late Trouble". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  32. Lien, Dennis; Rachel E. Stassen-Berger (October 22, 2008). "National GOP committee pulls money from Bachmann". TwinCities.com. Retrieved October 28, 2008.
  33. 2008 Competitive House Race Chart Archived 2008-10-22 at the Wayback Machine The Cook Political Report, October 20, 2008
  34. Dan Gunderson (September 5, 2008). "Republicans vie to challenge Collin Peterson". mprnews.org. Moorhead, Minnesota: Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 28, 2023.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2008_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Minnesota, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.