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2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

(Redirected from Harry Welty)

The 2006 congressional elections in Minnesota were held on November 7, 2006, to determine who would represent the state of Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives.

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota
← 2004
November 7, 2006 (2006-11-07)
2008 →
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Last election 4 seats, 51.42% 4 seats, 45.42%
Seats before 4 4
Seats won 5 3
Seat change Increase1 Decrease1
Popular vote 1,152,621 924,636
Percentage 52.90% 42.43%
Swing Increase1.48% Decrease2.99%
Map of Minnesota showing all eight districts

Minnesota had eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 110th Congress from January 3, 2007, until January 3, 2009. The election coincided with the Senate election and the gubernatorial election.

Overview

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Statewide

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Party Candidates Votes[1][2] Seats
No. % No. +/– %
Democratic-Farmer-Labor 8 1,152,621 52.90 5 Increase 1 62.50
Republican 8 924,636 42.43 3 Decrease 1 37.50
Independence 3 85,815 3.94 0 Steady 0.0
Unity 1 5,508 0.25 0 Steady 0.0
Green 1 4,792 0.23 0 Steady 0.0
Constitution 1 3,303 0.15 0 Steady 0.0
Write-in 8 2,299 0.11 0 Steady 0.0
Total 30 2,178,974 100.0 8 Steady 100.0
Popular vote
Democratic
 
 52.90%
Republican
 
 42.43%
Independence
 
 3.94%
Other
 
 0.73%
House seats
Democratic
 
 62.50%
Republican
 
 37.50%

By district

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

District Democratic Republican Others Total Result
Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
District 1141,55652.74%126,48647.12%3790.14%268,421100.0%Democratic gain
District 2116,34340.04%163,26956.20%10,9283.76%290,540100.0%Republican hold
District 399,58835.04%184,33364.85%3230.11%284,244100.0%Republican hold
District 4172,09669.54%74,79730.23%5730.23%247,466100.0%Democratic hold
District 5136,06055.56%52,26321.34%56,58223.10%244,905100.0%Democratic hold
District 6127,14442.07%151,24850.05%23,7967.88%302,188100.0%Republican hold
District 7179,16469.66%74,55728.99%3,4731.35%257,194100.0%Democratic hold
District 8180,67063.61%97,68334.39%5,6631.99%284,016100.0%Democratic hold
Total1,152,62152.90%924,63642.43%101,7174.67%2,178,974100.0%

District 1

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2006 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Tim Walz Gil Gutknecht
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 141,556 126,486
Percentage 52.7% 47.1%
Walz:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Gutknecht:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      50%      No votes
U.S. Representative before election

Gil Gutknecht
Republican

 Elected U.S. Representative

Tim Walz
Democratic (DFL)

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. This was the first election for this seat since 1992 to be won by a Democrat.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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Results

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Republican Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent) 24,725 87.3
Republican Gregory Mikkelson 3,600 12.7
Total votes 28,325 100.0

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Democratic Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz 26,475 100.0
Total votes 26,475 100.0

General election

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Campaign

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Walz accused Gutknecht of extending tax cuts to "Wall Street" and sought to tie Gutknecht to the unpopular President George W. Bush.[6] A centerpiece of Walz's campaign was his opposition to the Iraq War, as the war's popularity was on the decline.[7][8]

Endorsements
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Gil Gutknecht (R)

Organizations

Tim Walz (D)

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Individuals

Debate

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin of
error		 Gil
Gutknecht (R)		 Tim
Walz (D)		 Undecided
RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics[14] October 24–26, 2006 1,042 (LV) ±3.0% 50% 47% 3%
RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics[15] October 8–10, 2006 1,024 (LV) ±3.1% 48% 47% 5%

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Tossup November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Tossup November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Tilt R November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Lean R November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Lean R November 7, 2006

Results

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Walz upset Gutknecht by a margin of 5.6%.[21][22] After his defeat, Gutknecht admitted to Politico that he had been caught "off guard" by Walz.[23]

Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz 141,556 52.7
Republican Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent) 126,486 47.1
Write-in 379 0.1
Majority
Total votes 268,421 100.0
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Gil Gutknecht (R) $1,364,284 $1,723,707 $1,184
Tim Walz (DFL) $1,299,267 $1,227,636 $78,103
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Gil Gutknecht (R) $137,425 $915,190
Tim Walz (DFL) $546,447 $440,382

District 2

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2006 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee John Kline Coleen Rowley
Party Republican Democratic (DFL)
Popular vote 163,269 116,343
Percentage 56.2% 40.0%
Precinct results
Kline:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Rowley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
     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. 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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Democratic primary

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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.[24] 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.[24]

Candidates

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Nominee
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Withdrawn
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Independence primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Campaign

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Coleen Rowley at her rally in Rosemount, Minnesota, on September 17, 2006
Protestors at a Rowley rally in Rosemount, Minnesota, on September 17, 2006

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.[26]

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.[27] Ultimately Kline's campaign achieved a 2–1 advantage in raising funds.[28]

Endorsements

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Coleen Rowley (D)

U.S. Representatives

Labor unions

Newspapers and publications

Individuals

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin of
error		 John
Kline (R)		 Coleen
Rowley (D)		 Douglas
Williams (I)		 Undecided
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[30] October 29–31, 2006 597 (LV) ±4.1% 54% 36% 7% 2%
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[31] October 10–15, 2006 519 (LV) ±4.4% 50% 42% 5% 3%

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Safe R November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Safe R November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Likely R November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Safe R November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Likely R November 7, 2006

Results

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Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Kline 163,269 56.2
Democratic (DFL) Coleen Rowley 116,343 40.0
Independence Douglas Williams 10,802 3.7
Write-in 126 0.1
Majority
Total votes 290,540 100.0
Republican hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
John Kline (R) $1,495,470 $1,478,465 $42,933
Coleen Rowley (DFL) $692,476 $690,132 $2,345
Doug Williams (I) Unreported
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
John Kline (R) $5,821 $0
Coleen Rowley (DFL) $43,154 $0
Doug Williams (I) $0 $0

District 3

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2006 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Jim Ramstad Wendy Wilde
Party Republican Democratic (DFL)
Popular vote 184,333 99,588
Percentage 64.9% 35.0%
Precinct results
Ramstad:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Wilde:      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      40–50%
U.S. Representative before election

Jim Ramstad
Republican

 Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Ramstad
Republican

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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Republican Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) 17,579 100.0
Total votes 17,579 100.0

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Wendy Wilde, broadcaster, news anchor and talk show host
Eliminated in primary
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  • Kevin Ray Smith, neuromuscular massage therapist
  • Gavin Sullivan, services coordinator

Results

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Democratic Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Wendy Wilde 19,259 76.8
Democratic (DFL) Kevin Ray Smith 2,911 11.6
Democratic (DFL) Gavin Sullivan 2,894 11.6
Total votes 25,064 100.0

General election

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Endorsements

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Jim Ramstad (R)
Newspapers and publications
Wendy Wilde (D)
Labor unions

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Safe R November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Safe R November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Safe R November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Safe R November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Safe R November 7, 2006

Results

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Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) 184,333 64.9
Democratic (DFL) Wendy Wilde 99,588 35.0
Write-in 323 0.1
Total votes 284,244 100.0
Republican hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Jim Ramstad (R) $1,028,886 $1,424,365 $586,456
Wendy Wilde (D) $67,887 $67,861 $24
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Jim Ramstad (R) $5,638 $0
Wendy Wilde (D) $1,060 $0

District 4

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2006 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Betty McCollum Obi Sium
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 172,096 74,797
Percentage 69.5% 30.2%
Precinct results
McCollum:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Sium:      50–60%
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. 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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Democratic Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Betty McCollum (Incumbent) 37,397 100.0
Total votes 37,397 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Jack Shepard, fugitive, alleged arsonist, and former Minneapolis dentist who fled the country after allegedly attempting to burn down his own dental office[32]

Results

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Republican Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Obi Sium 8,802 64.2
Republican Jack Shepard 4,908 35.8
Total votes 13,710 100.0

General election

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Endorsements

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Betty McCollum (D)
Labor unions
Newspapers and publications

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Safe D November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Safe D November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Safe D November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Safe D November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Safe D November 7, 2006

Results

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Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Betty McCollum (Incumbent) 172,096 69.5
Republican Obi Sium 74,797 30.2
Write-in 573 0.2
Total votes 247,466 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Betty McCollum (DFL) $562,752 $611,908 $74,911
Obi Sium (R) $79,223 $75,617 $3,603
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Betty McCollum (DFL) $2,308 $0
Obi Sium (R) $77 $0

District 5

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2006 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Keith Ellison Alan Fine Tammy Lee
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence
Popular vote 136,060 52,263 51,456
Percentage 55.6% 21.3% 21.0%
Precinct results
Ellison:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Fine:      30–40%      40–50%
Lee:      30–40%
U.S. Representative before election

Martin Olav Sabo
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. 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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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Withdrew before primary

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Declined

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Results

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Democratic Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Keith Ellison 29,003 41.2
Democratic (DFL) Mike Erlandson 21,857 31.1
Democratic (DFL) Ember Junge 14,454 20.5
Democratic (DFL) Paul Ostrow 3,795 5.4
Democratic (DFL) Andrew Favorite 470 0.7
Democratic (DFL) Gregg Iverson 448 0.6
Democratic (DFL) Patrick Wiles 347 0.5
Total votes 70,374 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Withdrawn

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Results

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Republican Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alan Fine 7,352 100.0
Total votes 7,352 100.0

Green primary

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Candidates

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

Independence primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Independence Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independence Tammy Lee 1,086 100.0
Total votes 1,086 100.0

General election

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Endorsements

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Keith Ellison (D)
Labor unions
Newspapers and publications

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin of
error		 Keith
Ellison (D)		 Alan
Fine (R)		 Jay
Pond (G)		 Tammy
Lee (I)		 Undecided
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[53] October 31–November 4, 2006 806 (LV) ±3.5% 49% 24% 2% 22% 3%

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Safe D November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Safe D November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Safe D November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Safe D November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Safe D November 7, 2006

Results

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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.

Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Keith Ellison 136,060 55.6
Republican Alan Fine 52,263 21.3
Independence Tammy Lee 51,456 21.0
Green Jay Pond 4,792 2.0
Write-in 334 0.1
Total votes 244,905 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Keith Ellison (DFL) $795,047 $786,127 $8,920
Alan Fine (R) $173,319 $173,621 –$248
Jay Pond (G) $8,311 $8,312 $0
Tammy Lee (I) $228,938 $226,398 $2,539
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Keith Ellison (DFL) $49,978 $0
Alan Fine (R) $0 $0
Jay Pond (G) $0 $0
Tammy Lee (I) $450 $0

District 6

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2006 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Michele Bachmann Patty Wetterling John Binkowski
Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence
Popular vote 151,248 127,144 23,557
Percentage 50.1% 42.1% 7.8%
Bachmann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
Wetterling:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      40–50%      No votes
U.S. Representative before election

Mark Kennedy
Republican

 Elected U.S. Representative

Michele Bachmann
Republican

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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Withdrawn
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Declined

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Democratic primary

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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.[58]

Candidates

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Nominee
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Withdrawn
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Declined

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  • 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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Campaign

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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.[61]

Endorsements

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Patty Wetterling (D)
Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin of
error		 Michele
Bachmann(R)		 Patty
Wetterling (D)		 John
Binkowski (I)		 Undecided
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[62] November 1–3, 2006 698 (LV) ±3.8% 49% 42% 7% 2%
Zogby (Reuters)[63] October 24–29, 2006 500 (LV) ±4.5% 52% 42% 6%
RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics[64] October 24–26, 2006 1,056 (LV) ±3.0% 48% 47% 3% 2%
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[65] October 22–24, 2006 738 (LV) ±3.7% 49% 43% 5% 3%
RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics[66] October 6–12, 2006 995 (LV) ±3.1% 45% 50% 5%
Information Specialists Group (Star Tribune)[67] October 6–10, 2006 506 (LV) ±4.4% 40% 48% 4% 8%
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[68] October 6–8, 2006 669 (LV) ±3.9% 47% 44% 7% 2%
Zogby (Reuters)[69] September 25–October 2, 2006 500 (LV) ±4.5% 46% 43% 11%
Feldman Group (D)[70] September 19–21, 2006 300 (LV) ±5.7% 44% 41% 15%
SurveyUSA (KSTP-TV)[71] September 15–17, 2006 641 (LV) ±3.9% 50% 41% 5% 3%
Mellman Group (D-Wetterling)[72] January 14–16, 2006 400 (LV) ±4.9% 38% 43% – 19%

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Tossup November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Tossup November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Tilt R November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Lean R November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Tossup November 7, 2006

Results

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Despite polling that indicated that the race would be close, and although this was the most expensive House race in Minnesota,[73] Bachmann defeated Wetterling by a large margin, with Binkowski receiving about 8%.

Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michele Bachmann 151,248 50.1
Democratic (DFL) Patty Wetterling 127,144 42.1
Independence John Binkowski 23,557 7.8
Write-in 239 0.1
Total votes 302,188 100.0
Republican hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Michele Bachmann (R) $2,626,866 $2,553,746 $73,120
Patty Wetterling (D) $4,247,883 $4,273,801 $11,127
John Binkowski (I) $18,096 $17,060 $1,034
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Michele Bachmann (R) $243,619 $1,291,566
Patty Wetterling (DFL) $574,773 $2,502,415
John Binkowski (I) $0 $0

District 7

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2006 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Collin Peterson Michael J. Barrett
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 179,164 74,557
Percentage 69.7% 29.0%
Peterson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Barrett:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      No votes
U.S. Representative before election

Collin Peterson
Democratic (DFL)

 Elected U.S. Representative

Collin Peterson
Democratic (DFL)

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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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  • Erik Thompson, banker

Results

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Democratic Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Collin Peterson 33,732 86.0
Democratic (DFL) Erik Thompson 5,476 14.0
Total votes 39,208 100.0

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Michael Barrett, pharmacist

Results

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Republican Primary Election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Barrett 20,475 100.0
Total votes 20,475 100.0

Constitution primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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General election

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Endorsements

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Collin Peterson (D)
Labor unions
Newspapers and publications

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Safe D November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Safe D November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Safe D November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Safe D November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Safe D November 7, 2006

Results

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Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Collin Peterson (Incumbent) 179,164 69.7
Republican Michael Barrett 74,557 29.0
Constitution Ken Lucier 3,303 1.3
Write-in 170 0.1
Total votes 257,194 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Collin Peterson (DFL) $938,128 $645,285 $315,541
Michael Barrett (R) $41,378 $41,375 $0
Ken Lucier (C) Unreported
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Collin Peterson (DFL) $6,812 $0
Michael Barrett (R) $12,428 $0
Ken Lucier (C) $0 $0

District 8

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2006 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election
← 2004
2008 →
 
Nominee Jim Oberstar Rod Grams
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 180,670 97,683
Percentage 63.6% 34.4%
Oberstar:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Grams:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Tie:      40–50%      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. 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

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Other Candidates

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General election

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Campaign

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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

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Jim Oberstar (D)
Labor unions
Newspapers and publications

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[16] Safe D November 6, 2006
Rothenberg[17] Safe D November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] Safe D November 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics[19] Safe D November 7, 2006
CQ Politics[20] Safe D November 7, 2006

Results

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

Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2006[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Jim Oberstar (incumbent) 180,670 63.6
Republican Rod Grams 97,683 34.4
Unity Harry Welty 5,508 1.9
Write-in 155 0.1
Total votes 284,016 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

Finances

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Campaigns
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Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand
Jim Oberstar (DFL) $1,368,865 $1,422,123 $172,051
Rod Grams (R) $489,575 $562,956 $438
Harry Welty (U) $5,677 $5,398 $278
Outside Spending
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Candidate (party) Supported Opposed
Jim Oberstar (DFL) $22,949 $0
Rod Grams (R) $0 $0
Harry Welty (U) $0 $0

Notes

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

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  1. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006" (PDF). p. 22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Home - Election Results".
  3. ↑ Matthew Stolle (September 8, 2006). "PROFILES Gutknecht, Mikkelson seek GOP banner". postbulletin.com. Post-Bulletin. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Home - Election Results".
  5. ↑ Green, Joshua (January 1, 2006). "Company, Left". The Atlantic. ISSN 2151-9463. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Bonorden, Lee (December 28, 2005). "DFL hopeful accuses Gutknecht of extending tax cuts to wealthy". Austin Daily Herald. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  7. ↑ Norris, Michele (November 3, 2006). "Minnesota House Seat May Depend on War Issues". NPR. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  8. ↑ Marie Horrigan (October 17, 2006). "Minn. Roundup: Walz a Legit Barrier to Gutknecht in 1st District". nytimes.com. NYT/CQPolitics. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ Tim Engstrom (October 17, 2006). "U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Gutknecht". albertleatribune.com. Albert Lea Tribune. Archived from the original on November 26, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2006 Candidates - House Races". aflcio.org. AFL-CIO. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Our Red to Blue Candidates". dccc.org. DCCC. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Esquire Endorses America". Esquire. November 1, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Tim Walz (MN-1) | WesPAC". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
  14. ↑ RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics October 24–26
  15. ↑ RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics October 8–10
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2006 Competitive House Race Chart" (PDF). House: Race Ratings. Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2006 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2006 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Balance of Power Scorecard: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Gutknecht is out as voters send Walz to Congress". Albert Lea Tribune. November 8, 2006. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  22. ↑ Felker, Ed (November 16, 2006). "Walz stays mum on choice for No. 2 House leader". Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2006.
  23. ↑ Hohmann, James (October 14, 2010). "Tim Walz confident about survival". Politico. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  24. 1 2 3 Mark Zdechlik Kline, Rowley provide clear choice on Iraq Minnesota Public Radio, July 26, 2006
  25. ↑ Brian Bakst (March 29, 2006). "Marko out of 2nd District congressional race". mprnews.org. St. Paul, MN: Associated Press. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  26. ↑ Gordon, Greg (January 30, 2006). "Rowley issues apology to Rep. John Kline over his depiction on website". Star Tribune.
  27. ↑ Melo, Frederick (December 19, 2006). "What's a Rowley lawn sign go for?". TwinCities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2006.
  28. ↑ Meggen, Lindsay (November 3, 2006). "Kline leads Rowley in fundraising, 2-1". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 22, 2007.
  29. ↑ "Patty Wetterling (MN-6) | WesPAC". Archived from the original on November 4, 2006.
  30. ↑ SurveyUSA
  31. ↑ SurveyUSA
  32. ↑ Linkins, Jason (May 20, 2010). "Support Jack Shepard, The Arsonist, For Congress". The Huffington Post.
  33. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Mike Erlandson". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  34. 1 2 3 "U.S. Representative, District 5". Star Tribune. September 6, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Results for US Representative District 05". Minnesota Secretary of State. 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  36. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Ember Reichgott Junge". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  37. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Paul Ostrow". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  38. ↑ "U.S. House of Representatives". Star Tribune. September 6, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  39. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Gail Dorfman". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  40. 1 2 "DFLers pick Ellison to replace Sabo". Star Tribune. May 7, 2006. pp. B11. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  41. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Anne Knapp". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  42. 1 2 3 Cox, Craig (May 7, 2006). "Ellison wins DFL endorsement to succeed Sabo". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  43. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  44. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Jon Olson". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  45. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Jorge Saavedra". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  46. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 5th District: Gary Schiff". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  47. ↑ "MPR: Campaign 2006: U.S. Congress: 7th District: Erik Thompson". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  48. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cox, Craig (March 21, 2006). "Dorfman enters race for Sabo's seat". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pugmire, Tim; Lohn, Martiga (March 18, 2006). "Tearful Martin Sabo announces retirement from Congress". MPR News. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  50. ↑ "5th District: Alan Fine". Minnesota Public Radio. 2006.
  51. 1 2 Collins, Bob (May 3, 2006). "5th District drop-out". MPR News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  52. ↑ McKenzie, Sarah (March 27, 2006). "Sabo is out; who will be in?". Southwest Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  53. ↑ SurveyUSA
  54. 1 2 3 4 Pugmire, Tim (May 6, 2006). "Bachmann wins GOP endorsement for U.S. House in 6th District". MPR News. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  55. 1 2 Scheck, Tom (June 14, 2005). "Tinklenberg enters 6th District congressional race". MPR News. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  56. 1 2 Nicole Duran (February 14, 2005). "Republicans Declare, Democrats Await Wetterling". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  57. ↑ Patrick Condon (November 8, 2004). "Patty Wetterling could be in strong position for 2006". postbulletin.com. Post-Bulletin. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  58. ↑ Chris Cillizza (February 25, 2005). "Wetterling Readies Senate Bid". rollcall.com. Roll Call. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  59. 1 2 McCallum, Laura (May 14, 2006). "Wetterling wins 6th District DFL endorsement". MPR News. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  60. ↑ Croman, John (October 10, 2006). "Are third party candidates relevant?". KARE. Retrieved May 13, 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  61. ↑ "God not choosing sides in 6th, Bachmann says". November 2, 2006.
  62. ↑ SurveyUSA November 1–3
  63. ↑ Zogby
  64. ↑ RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics October 24–26
  65. ↑ SurveyUSA October 24–26
  66. ↑ RT Strategies and Constituent Dynamics October 6–12
  67. ↑ Star Tribune October 6–10
  68. ↑ SurveyUSA October 6–8
  69. ↑ Zogby/Reuters September 25–October 2
  70. ↑ RCP 6th
  71. ↑ SurveyUSA September 15–17
  72. ↑
  73. ↑ "Bachmann retains 6th District seat for GOP". November 8, 2006.
  74. ↑ Brian Bakst (April 26, 2006). "Grams may challenge Oberstar". mprnews.org. St. Paul, MN: Associated Press. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
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