2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

Statewide

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

By district

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

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]

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

• Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

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

Eliminated in primary

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

Withdrawn

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

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gregory Mikkelson

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

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

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 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

• 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.^[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

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

General election

Predictions

Results

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

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

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

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

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

Withdrawn

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

Endorsements

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• David Dillon, businessman^[29]

Eliminated in primary

• Steev Ramsdell

Results

Constitution primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Harley Swarm^[30][31]

General election

Polling

Predictions

Results

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

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]

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.^[13]

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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gregg A. Iverson

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Barb Davis White, minister, author, and civil rights activist^[32][33]

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill McGaughey

Results

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

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]

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

• Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Aubrey Immelman

Results

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

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Anderson

Results

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

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]

Results

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

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]

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

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Glen Menze, accountant and nominee for this seat in 2000^[42]

Eliminated in primary

• Alan Roebke, farmer and convicted felon

Results

General election

Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

Results

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]

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

• 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