2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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.

Overview Statewide The table below shows the total number and percentage of votes, as well as the number of seats gained and lost by each political party in the election for the United States House of Representatives in Minnesota.

PartyCandidatesVotesSeats %+/– %Democratic-Farmer-Labor81,560,98455.485 162.50Republican81,210,40943.023 137.50Independence236,4331.2900.0Write-in85,5570.2000.0Total262,813,383100.08100.0

By district Results of the 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:

DistrictDemocraticRepublicanOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 193,211 57.52% 142,164 42.33% 505 0.15% 335,880 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 2 164,338 45.85% 193,587 54.01% 521 0.15% 358,446 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 3 159,937 41.79% 222,335 58.10% 433 0.11% 382,705 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 4 216,685 62.27% 109,659 31.51% 21,647 6.22% 347,991 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 5 262,102 74.47% 88,753 25.22% 1,114 0.32% 351,969 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 6 174,944 49.26% 179,240 50.47% 969 0.27% 355,153 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 7 197,791 60.38% 114,151 34.85% 15,634 4.77% 327,576 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 8 191,976 54.28% 160,520 45.39% 1,167 0.33% 353,663 100.0% Democratic gainTotal 1,560,984 55.48% 1,210,409 43.02% 41,990 1.49% 2,813,383 100.0%

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

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

District 1

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.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. representative

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Allen Quist, former state representative from legislative district 23B (1983–1989), candidate for governor in 1994 & 1998 and for this seat in 2010

Eliminated in primary Mike Parry, state senator from senate district 26 since 2010

Declined Randy Demmer, former state representative nominee for this seat in 2010 Steve Drazkowski, state representative Julie Rosen, state senator

Results

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results Walz handily dispatched Quist in the election, garnering 58% of the vote.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Tim Walz (DFL) $1,975,606 $1,930,831 $63,237 Allen Quist (R) $595,215 $595,312 $0

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Tim Walz (DFL) $26,390 $0 Allen Quist (R) $276 $0

District 2

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.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee John Kline, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary David Gerson, engineer

Results

Democratic primary Patrick Ganey, a member of the Northfield City Council; Kathleen Gaylord, a member of the Dakota County Commission; former state Representative Mike Obermueller; and Dan Powers, a former small business owner who unsuccessfully sought the DFL nomination in the 2nd district in 2010, sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination to challenge Kline. At the congressional district convention, the party endorsed Mike Obermueller.

Candidates Nominee Mike Obermueller, former state representative from legislative district 38B (2009–2011)

Withdrawn Patrick Ganey, Northfield City Council member Kathleen Gaylord, Dakota County Commission member Dan Powers, former small business owner candidate for this seat in 2010

Results

General election Endorsements

Polling Poll sourceDate(s)administeredSamplesizeMargin of errorJohnKline (R)MikeObermueller (DFL)UndecidedSurveyUSASurveyUSA October 17–18, 2012 565 ±4.2% 49% 41% 11%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results Despite a strong challenge from Obermueller, Kline prevailed.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand John Kline (R) $2,352,676 $1,957,356 $565,590 Mike Obermueller (DFL) $717,173 $705,166 $12,007

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed John Kline (R) $1,590 $74,348 Mike Obermueller (DFL) $3,219 $0

District 3

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.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Erik Paulsen, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary John W. Howard III, biologist

Results

Democratic primary Brian Barnes, an Edina businessman and former Navy Reserve officer and Sharon Sund, a Plymouth scientist and small-business owner sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination to challenge Paulsen. In the third district Democratic convention, Barnes won the party endorsement and Sund backed his candidacy. Sund was subsequently elected chair of the Hennepin County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Candidates Nominee Brian Barnes, businessman and former Navy Reserve officer

Withdrawn Sharon Sund, Plymouth scientist and small-business owner

Results

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results Paulsen received 58% of the vote, defeating Barnes, who received 42%.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Erik Paulsen (R) $3,113,793 $2,567,483 $693,846 Brian Barnes (DFL) $400,435 $397,940 $2,494

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Erik Paulsen (R) $5,074 $0 Brian Barnes (DFL) $924 $0

District 4

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.

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.

McCollum retained her seat, defeating Hernandez.

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

Eliminated in primary Diana Longrie, former mayor of Maplewood (2005–2009) Brian Stalboerger, software engineer

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tony Hernandez, businessman and candidate for Senate in 2012

Eliminated in primary Ron Seiford, adjunct business instructor at Globe College

Withdrawn Dan Flood, retired Navy officer

Declined Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. representative for the 6th district

Results

Independence primary Candidates Nominee Steve Carlson, development consultant, attorney and nominee for this seat in 2010

Results

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Betty McCollum (DFL) $931,990 $942,684 $48,014 Tony Hernandez (R) $66,697 $68,016 $15 Steve Carlson (I) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Betty McCollum (DFL) $1,334 $0 Tony Hernandez (R) $2,752 $0 Steve Carlson (I) $0 $0

District 5

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. In redistricting, the 5th district was expanded to include parts of Brooklyn Center, Edina and Minnetonka, and continued to strongly favor Democrats.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary Gary Boisclair, anti-abortion activist Gregg A. Iverson, perennial candidate and U.S. Army veteran

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Chris Fields, retired U.S. Marine

Withdrawn Lynne Torgerson, attorney, Independent candidate for State House, District 59A in 2008 and Independent candidate for this seat in 2010

Results

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results Ellison easily defeated Fields, carrying about 75% of the vote.

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Keith Ellison (DFL) $2,053,544 $2,160,554 $56,570 Chris Fields (R) $365,441 $357,683 $7,758

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Keith Ellison (DFL) $1,842 $0 Chris Fields (R) $2,285 $0

District 6

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

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

Republican primary Ron Seiford, an adjunct business instructor at Woodbury's Globe College, and Aubrey Immelman unsuccessfully challenged her in the Republican nomination, though Bachmann won by the lowest margin of any incumbent Republican congressional candidate in 50 years.

Candidates Nominee Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary Aubrey Immelman, professor, Republican candidate for this seat in 2008 and Independent candidate in 2010 Stephen Thompson, computer consultant

Withdrawn Ron Seiford, adjunct business instructor at Globe College

Results

Democratic primary Jim Graves, a hotel executive, won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination at the party's convention in April 2012.

Candidates Nominee Jim Graves, hotel executive