The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Minnesota. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 14, 2012.^[1]

Quick Facts All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives, Majority party ...

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

← 2010 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2014 →
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Last election 4 4 Seats won 5 3 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,560,984 1,210,409 Percentage 55.48% 43.02% Swing 7.55% 3.41%
Results by percentage Results by seats gained Democratic   50–60%   60–70% Republican   50–60% Democratic Gain   Hold   Gain Republican Gain   Hold

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A redistricting plan was proposed by Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature on May 9, 2011.^[3] The plan was passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives on May 13^[4] and the Minnesota Senate on May 18,^[5] but was vetoed by Democratic Governor Mark Dayton on May 19.^[6]

In February 2012, a state court panel redrew Minnesota's congressional boundaries with the effect of enacting a "least-change" map.^[7]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Tim Walz Allen Quist Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 193,211 142,164 Percentage 57.5% 42.3%

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

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

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Democrat Tim Walz, who had represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district since 2007, sought re-election. In redistricting, Murray County, Pipestone County and half of Cottonwood County were moved from the 1st district to the 7th, and Wabasha County was moved from the 1st district to the 2nd, while Le Sueur County and most of Rice County were moved from the 2nd district to the 1st. The 1st district was expected to continue to slightly favor Republicans.^[7]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee John Kline Mike Obermueller Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 193,587 164,338 Percentage 54.0% 45.9%

Precinct results Kline:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Obermueller:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election John Kline Republican Elected U.S. Representative John Kline Republican

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Republican John Kline, who had represented Minnesota's 2nd congressional district since 2003, sought re-election.

In redistricting, Le Sueur County and Rice County were moved from the 2nd district to the 1st, and Carver County was moved from the 2nd district to the 3rd and 6th, while West St. Paul and parts of South St. Paul were moved from the 4th district to the 2nd. The 2nd district was made slightly more favorable to Democrats, but continues to favor Republicans.^[7]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Erik Paulsen Brian Barnes Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 222,335 159,937 Percentage 58.1% 41.8%

Precinct results Paulsen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Barnes:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      No votes

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

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Republican Erik Paulsen, who had represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district since 2009 sought re-election.

In redistricting, the 3rd district was expanded to include eastern Carver County, while part of the northeastern Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area was moved to the 5th. The district was made more favorable to Republicans.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Betty McCollum Tony Hernandez Steve Carlson Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence Popular vote 216,685 109,659 21,135 Percentage 62.3% 31.5% 6.1%

Precinct results McCollum:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Hernandez:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL)

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Democrat Betty McCollum, who had represented Minnesota's 4th congressional district since 2001, sought re-election. In redistricting, the 4th district was made slightly more favorable to Republicans, but continues to strongly favor Democrats.^[7]

The home of Republican U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, who had represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2007, was drawn into the 4th district in redistricting; however, Bachmann sought re-election in the 6th district.^[7]

McCollum retained her seat, defeating Hernandez.^[49]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Keith Ellison Chris Fields Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 262,102 88,753 Percentage 74.5% 25.2%

Precinct results Ellison:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Fields:      50–60%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Keith Ellison Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Keith Ellison Democratic (DFL)

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Minnesota's 5th congressional district has been represented by Democrat Keith Ellison since 2007. Gary Boisclair, an anti-abortion activist, and Gregg Iverson unsuccessfully challenged Ellison in the Democratic primary.^[57] In redistricting, the 5th district was expanded to include parts of Brooklyn Center, Edina and Minnetonka, and continued to strongly favor Democrats.^[7]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Michele Bachmann Jim Graves Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 179,240 174,944 Percentage 50.5% 49.3%

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

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

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Michele Bachmann, who had represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2012,^[62] sought re-election.^[63]

In redistricting, the 6th district was expanded to include Carver County and was made more favorable to Republicans.^[7]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Collin Peterson Lee Byberg Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 197,791 114,151 Percentage 60.4% 34.8%

Precinct results Peterson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Byberg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

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

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Democrat Collin Peterson, who had represented Minnesota's 7th congressional district since 1991, sought re-election.^[74] In redistricting, the 7th district was expanded to include rural counties in southern Minnesota, while cities were moved from the 6th and 8th districts into the 7th.^[7]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2012 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Rick Nolan Chip Cravaack Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 191,976 160,520 Percentage 54.3% 45.4%

Precinct results Nolan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Cravaack:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Chip Cravaack Republican Elected U.S. Representative Rick Nolan Democratic (DFL)

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Republican Chip Cravaack, who was first elected to represent Minnesota's 8th congressional district in 2010, sought re-election.

In redistricting, the 8th district was not significantly changed and remained competitive.^[7]