2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2008 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 4, 2008. All eight 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. Primary elections were held on September 9 2008.

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 did 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 PartyCandidatesVotesOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of RepresentativesSeats %+/– %Democratic-Farmer-Labor81,612,48057.53562.50Republican81,069,01538.14337.50Independence4116,8354.1700.0Write-in84,2840.1500.0Total282,802,614100.08100.0

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

DistrictDemocraticRepublicanOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 207,753 62.50% 109,453 32.93% 15,194 4.57% 332,400 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 2 164,093 42.55% 220,924 57.29% 639 0.16% 385,656 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 3 150,787 40.85% 178,932 48.48% 39,385 10.67% 369,104 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 4 216,267 68.44% 98,936 31.31% 815 0.26% 316,018 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 5 228,776 70.88% 71,020 22.00% 22,951 7.12% 322,747 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 6 175,786 43.43% 187,817 46.41% 41,122 10.15% 404,725 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 7 227,187 72.20% 87,062 27.67% 431 0.14% 314,680 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 8 241,831 67.69% 114,871 32.15% 582 0.16% 357,284 100.0% Democratic holdTotal 1,612,480 57.53% 1,069,015 38.14% 121,119 4.32% 2,802,614 100.0%

District 1

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.

Democratic primary Walz, a former teacher and command sergeant major in the National Guard, 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

Eliminated in primary Dick Day, state senator and former state senate Majority Leader (1997–2007)

Withdrawn Randy Demmer, state representative Mark Meyer, actuary, lawyer and member of the Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial School Board

Results

Independence primary Candidates Nominee Gregory Mikkelson, small business owner, farmer, nominee for this seat in 2004, Green nominee for this seat in 2002 and Republican candidate in 2006

Results

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results Walz won a second term, garnering 62.5% of the vote.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Tim Walz (DFL) $2,729,819 $2,704,466 $30,528 Brian Davis (R) $849,200 $846,278 $2,922 Gregory Mikkelson (I) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Tim Walz (DFL) $57,889 $0 Brian Davis (R) $31,301 $0 Gregory Mikkelson (I) $0 $0

District 2

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.

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.

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. On May 3, Sarvi was endorsed by the 2nd District DFL party.

Candidates Nominee Steve Sarvi, Iraq War veteran and former mayor of Watertown

Withdrawn Dan Powers, construction contractor

General election Endorsements

Results Kline won garnering 57.3% of the vote.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand John Kline (R) $1,464,906 $1,484,962 $0 Steve Sarvi (DFL) $559,473 $559,474 $0

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed John Kline (R) $3,287 $4,417 Steve Sarvi (DFL) $20,012 $0

District 3

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. 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)

Declined Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary Pro-business and centrist state senator Terri Bonoff entered the race as the favourite to win the nomination, raising about $300,000 in the first several months of her campaign. However political newcomer (and former Republican) Ashwin Madia was able to defeat her at the nominating convention, prompting her withdrawal.

Candidates Nominee Ashwin Madia, attorney and Iraq War veteran

Withdrawn Terri Bonoff, state senator Jim Hovland, mayor of Edina (withdrew March 2008)

Endorsements

Results

Independence primary Candidates Nominee David Dillon, businessmancampaign website

Eliminated in primary Steev Ramsdell, massage therapy center operator

Results

Constitution primary Candidates Withdrawn Harley Swarm, mechanical engineercampaign website

General election Endorsements

Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ErikPaulsen (R) AshwinMadia (DFL) DavidDillon (IP) UndecidedSurveyUSASurveyUSA October 29–30, 2008 647 ± 3.9% 46% 41% 10% 3%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 26–27, 2008 643 ± 3.9% 45% 44% 9% 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 6–7, 2008 634 ± 4.0% 43% 46% 8% 3%Bennett, Petts and Normington (D-DCCC)Bennett, Petts and Normington (D-DCCC) September 29–30, 2008 400 ± 4.9% 39% 44% 8% 9%SurveyUSASurveyUSA August 26–28, 2008 636 ± 4.0% 44% 41% 10% 6%

Results Paulsen won the 2008 race, garnering 48.5% of the vote.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Erik Paulsen (R) $2,781,437 $2,744,927 $36,509 Ashwin Madia (DFL) $2,734,890 $2,726,040 $8,849 David Dillon (I) $66,900 $66,896 $94,285

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Erik Paulsen (R) $122,480 $665,688 Ashwin Madia (DFL) $754,248 $1,048,053 David Dillon (I) $0 $20,317

District 4

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.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. representative

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Ed Matthews, attorney

General election Endorsements

Results McCollum won the race, garnering 68.4% of the vote.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Betty McCollum (DFL) $722,054 $719,710 $77,255 Ed Matthews (R) $84,061 $77,148 $6,909

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Betty McCollum (DFL) $3,795 $0 Ed Matthews (R) $3 $0

District 5

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. 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, perennial candidate and U.S. Army veteran

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Barb Davis White, minister, author, and civil rights activist

Results

Independence primary Candidates Nominee William (Bill) McGaughey, landlord and candidate for U.S. Senator 2002

Results

General election Endorsements

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Keith Ellison (DFL) $1,530,396 $1,476,449 $61,922Barb Davis White (R) $62,099 $55,796 $6,634 Bill McGaughey (I) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Keith Ellison (DFL) $5,807 $0 Barb Davis White (R) $3 $0 Bill McGaughey (I) $0 $0

District 6

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.

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 and a multimillion-dollar warchest.

Candidates Nominee Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary Aubrey Immelman, associate professor of psychology

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

Withdrawn Bob Olson, banker, tax lawyer and nominee for this seat in 1994

Results

Independence primary Candidates Nominee Bob Anderson, dental technician

Results

General election Campaign

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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