2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

← 2006 November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04) 2010 →
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Last election 5 seats, 52.90% 3 seats, 42.43% Seats before 5 3 Seats won 5 3 Seat change Popular vote 1,612,480 1,069,015 Percentage 57.53% 38.14% Swing 4.63% 4.29%
Election results by district Election results by county Election results by Precinct

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v t e

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.

Party		Candidates	Votes[1]		Seats
			No.	%	No.	+/–	%
	Democratic-Farmer-Labor	8	1,612,480	57.53	5		62.50
	Republican	8	1,069,015	38.14	3		37.50
	Independence	4	116,835	4.17	0		0.0
	Write-in	8	4,284	0.15	0		0.0
Total		28	2,802,614	100.0	8		100.0

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

House seats Democratic   62.50% Republican   37.50%

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

District	Democratic		Republican		Others		Total		Result
	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%

2008 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Tim Walz Brian J. Davis Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 207,753 109,453 Percentage 62.5% 32.9%

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

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

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]

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.

• Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (Incumbent)	20,998	100.0
Total votes			20,998	100.0

• Brian J. Davis, Mayo Clinic physician^[5][6]

• Dick Day, state senator and former state senator Majority Leader (1997–2007)^[5][7]

• Randy Demmer, state representative^[5]
• Mark Meyer, actuary, lawyer and member of the Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial School Board^[5]

Republican primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brian J. Davis	17,196	66.7
	Republican	Dick Day	8,480	33.0
Total votes			25,676	100.0

• Gregory Mikkelson

Independence primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Gregory Mikkelson	1,043	100.0
Total votes			1,043	100.0

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[8]	Likely D	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[9]	Safe D	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[10]	Lean D	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[11]	Safe D	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[12]	Likely D	November 6, 2008

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

Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (Incumbent)	207,753	62.5
	Republican	Brian J. Davis	109,453	32.9
	Independence	Gregory Mikkelson	14,904	4.5
	Write-in		290	0.1
Total votes			332,400	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2008 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee John Kline Steve Sarvi Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 220,924 164,093 Percentage 57.3% 42.5%

Precinct results Kline:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Sarvi:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      50%      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 56.2% of the vote in 2006. The district had a PVI of R+3.^[2]

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]

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

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.

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

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[8]	Likely R	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[9]	Safe R	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[10]	Safe R	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[11]	Safe R	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[12]	Likely R	November 6, 2008

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

Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Kline (Incumbent)	220,924	57.3
	Democratic (DFL)	Steve Sarvi	164,093	42.5
	Write-in		639	0.2
Total votes			385,656	100.0
	Republican hold

2008 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Erik Paulsen Ashwin Madia David Dillon Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence Popular vote 178,932 150,787 38,970 Percentage 48.5% 40.9% 10.7%

Precinct results Paulsen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Madia:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

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

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.

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

Republican primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Erik Paulsen	14,187	100.0
Total votes			14,187	100.0

• Ashwin Madia, attorney and Iraq War veteran^[19][20]

• Terri Bonoff, state senator^[21]
• Jim Hovland, Mayor of Edina (withdrew March 2008)^[22][23]

Democratic primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ashwin Madia	20,830	100.0
Total votes			20,830	100.0

• David Dillon, businessman^[29]

• Steev Ramsdell

Independence primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	David Dillon	674	72.8
	Independence	Steev Ramsdell	252	27.2
Total votes			926	100.0

• Harley Swarm^[30][31]

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Erik Paulsen (R)	Ashwin Madia (D)	David Dillon (IP)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[32]	October 29–30, 2008	647	± 3.9%	46%	41%	10%	3%
SurveyUSA[33]	October 26–27, 2008	643	± 3.9%	45%	44%	9%	2%
SurveyUSA[34]	October 6–7, 2008	634	± 4.0%	43%	46%	8%	3%
Bennett, Petts and Normington (D-DCCC)[35]	September 29–30, 2008	400	± 4.9%	39%	44%	8%	9%
SurveyUSA[36]	August 26–28, 2008	636	± 4.0%	44%	41%	10%	6%

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[8]	Tossup	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[9]	Lean D (flip)	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[10]	Lean R	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[11]	Tossup	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[12]	Tossup	November 6, 2008

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

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Erik Paulsen	178,932	48.5
	Democratic (DFL)	Ashwin Madia	150,787	40.9
	Independence	David Dillon	38,970	10.6
	Write-in		415	0.1
Total votes			369,104	100.0
	Republican hold

2008 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Betty McCollum Ed Matthews Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 216,267 98,936 Percentage 68.4% 31.3%

Precinct results McCollum:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Matthews:      50–60%      60–70%

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 69.5% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+13.^[2]

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Ed Matthews, attorney

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

McCollum won the race, garnering 68.4% of the vote.^[13]

Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (Incumbent)	216,267	68.4
	Republican	Ed Matthews	98,936	31.3
	Write-in		815	0.3
Total votes			316,018	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2008 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Keith Ellison Barb Davis White Bill McGaughey Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence Popular vote 216,267 71,020 22,318 Percentage 70.9% 22.0% 6.9%

Precinct results Ellison:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election Keith Ellison 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 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.

• Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Gregg A. Iverson

Democratic primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison	33,988	84.5
	Democratic (DFL)	Gregg A. Iverson	6,251	15.5
Total votes			40,239	100.0

• Barb Davis White, minister, author, and civil rights activist^[37][38]

Republican primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Barb Davis White	5,284	100.0
Total votes			5,284	100.0

• Bill McGaughey

Independence Party primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Bill McGaughey	828	100.0
Total votes			828	100.0

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison (Incumbent)	228,776	70.9
	Republican	Barb Davis White	71,020	22.0
	Independence	Bill McGaughey	22,318	6.9
	Write-in		633	0.2
Total votes			322,747	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2008 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Michele Bachmann El Tinklenberg Bob Anderson Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence Popular vote 187,817 175,786 40,643 Percentage 46.4% 43.4% 10.0%

Precinct results Bachmann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tinklenberg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Michele Bachmann 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 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]

Bachmann won a hard-fought battle against Patty Wetterling in 2006, with the help of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney campaigning on her behalf^[39] and a multimillion-dollar warchest.^[40]

• Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Aubrey Immelman

Republican primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michele Bachmann (Incumbent)	19,127	85.9
	Republican	Aubrey Immelman	3,134	14.1
Total votes			22,261	100.0

• Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation (1999–2002), former Mayor of Blaine, former Methodist minister and candidate for this seat in 2006^[41]

• Bob Olson, banker, tax lawyer and nominee for this seat in 1994^[42][43]

Democratic primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	El Tinklenberg	17,474	100.0
Total votes			17,474	100.0

• Bob Anderson

Independence Party primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Bob Anderson	828	100.0
Total votes			828	100.0

Bachmann's charges about "anti-American views" shifted the political dynamics of this campaign,^[44] 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.^[45]

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Michele Bachmann (R)	Elwyn Tinklenberg (D)	Bob Anderson (IP)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[46]	October 29–30, 2008	625	± 4.0%	46%	45%	6%	3%
Minnesota Public Radio[47]	October 21–23, 2008	430	± 4.7%	43%	45%	5%	7%
SurveyUSA[48]	October 21–22, 2008	621	± 4.0%	44%	47%	6%	2%
Grove Insight (D-DCCC)[49]	October 10–12, 2008	400	± 4.9%	42%	38%	5%	15%

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'.^[50]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[8]	Tossup	November 6, 2008
Rothenberg[9]	Tilt D (flip)	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[10]	Lean D (flip)	November 6, 2008
Real Clear Politics[11]	Tossup	November 7, 2008
CQ Politics[12]	Tossup	November 6, 2008

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

Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michele Bachmann (Incumbent)	187,817	46.4
	Democratic (DFL)	Elwyn Tinklenberg	175,786	43.4
	Independence	Bob Anderson	40,643	10.0
	Write-in		479	0.1
Total votes			404,725	100.00
	Republican hold

2008 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Collin Peterson Glen Menze Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 227,187 87,062 Percentage 72.2% 27.7%

Peterson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% County results Peterson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Menze:      50–60%      60–70%      No votes Precinct results

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

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]

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.

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent)	21,791	100.0
Total votes			21,791	100.0

• Glen Menze, accountant and nominee for this seat in 2000^[51]

• Alan Roebke, farmer and convicted felon

Republican primary election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Glen Menze	7,698	51.8
	Republican	Alan Roebke	7,172	48.2
Total votes			14,870	100.0

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent)	227,187	72.2
	Republican	Glen Menze	87,062	27.7
	Write-in		431	0.1
Total votes			314,680	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2008 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election

← 2006 2010 →

Nominee Jim Oberstar Michael Cummins Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 241,831 114,871 Percentage 67.7% 32.2%

Precinct results Oberstar:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Cummins:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      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 63.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+4.^[2]

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.

• Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

• Michael Cummins, small business owner

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	James L. Oberstar (Incumbent)	241,831	67.7
	Republican	Michael Cummins	114,871	32.2
	Write-in		582	0.2
Total votes			357,284	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

• 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

• 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