2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Minnesota, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with an open gubernatorial election, a U.S. Senate election, a special U.S. Senate election, State House elections, and other elections. Primaries were held on August 14.

In the 2018 elections, Democrats gained the 2nd and 3rd districts from Republican incumbents, and the Republicans gained the 1st and 8th districts from Democrats running for higher office, leaving party representation in Minnesota's House delegation unchanged at five members from the DFL and three members from the GOP.

Overview Statewide PartyCandidatesVotesSeats %+/– %Democratic-Farmer-Labor81,420,76955.13562.50Republican81,125,53343.68337.50Legal Marijuana Now113,7770.5300.0Independence112,7410.4900.0Write-in84,1770.1600.0Total262,576,996100.08100.0

By district Results of the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:

DistrictDemocraticRepublicanOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 144,885 49.67% 146,200 50.13% 576 0.20% 291,661 100.0% Republican gainDistrict 2 177,958 52.65% 159,344 47.15% 666 0.20% 337,968 100.0% Democratic gainDistrict 3 202,404 55.61% 160,839 44.19% 706 0.20% 363,949 100.0% Democratic gainDistrict 4 216,865 65.99% 97,747 29.75% 14,002 4.26% 328,614 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 5 267,703 77.97% 74,440 21.68% 1,215 0.35% 343,358 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 6 122,332 38.75% 192,931 61.11% 463 0.15% 315,726 100.0% Republican holdDistrict 7 146,672 52.10% 134,668 47.84% 169 0.06% 281,509 100.0% Democratic holdDistrict 8 141,950 45.18% 159,364 50.72% 12,897 4.10% 314,211 100.0% Republican gainTotal 1,420,769 55.13% 1,125,533 43.68% 30,694 1.19% 2,576,996 100.0%

District 1

Minnesota's 1st Congressional District extends across southern Minnesota, from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin and the state's entire border with Iowa.

Incumbent Democrat Tim Walz, who had represented the district since 2007, did not run for re-election, instead opting to run for governor. He was re-elected with 50% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+5. This was the first election for this seat to be won by a Republican since 2004.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Dan Feehan, Army veteran and former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness

Eliminated in primary Colin "Coke" Minehart, restaurateur

Withdrawn Johnny Akzam, personal coach and website developer John Austinson, teacher Vicki Jensen, former state senator (endorsed Feehan) Regina Mustafa, activist Robert Ries, U.S. Navy veteran Joe Sullivan, clean energy advocate (endorsed Feehan) Rich Wright, attorney and nominee for state senate in 2016 (endorsed Feehan)

Declined Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Endorsements

Primary results

Republican primary Minnesota's 1st congressional district was listed as one of the NRCC's initial targets in 2018.

Candidates Nominee Jim Hagedorn, blogger, candidate for this seat in 2010 and nominee in 2014 & 2016

Eliminated in primary Andrew Candler, convenience store worker Carla Nelson, state senator Stephen Williams, farmer, candidate for this seat in 2016, Independence nominee for the U.S. Senate 2012, candidate in 2008 and 2012 and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2010

Declined Nels Pierson, state representative Joe Schomacker, state representative

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JimHagedorn CarlaNelson Undecided Harper Polling (R–Hagedorn)Harper Polling (R–Hagedorn)February 19–20, 2018 412 (LV) ±4.8% 54% 21% 25%

Primary results

General election Endorsements

Debate & forum + 2018 Minnesota's 1st congressional district debate & candidate forum Date Host Moderator Link Democratic RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Dan Feehan Jim Hagedorn1 Oct. 12, 2018 Minnesota Public Radio Mike MulcahyC-SPAN 2 Oct. 17, 2018 Greater Mankato GrowthSouth Central CollegeThe Free Press Patrick BakerSteve JamesonYouTube

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DanFeehan (DFL) JimHagedorn (R) Other Undecided SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 16–20, 2018 586 (LV) ±4.4% 47% 45% – 8% Harper Polling (R-Hagedorn)Harper Polling (R-Hagedorn) August 23–26, 2018 400 (LV) ±4.9% 33% 47% 6% 14%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 5, 2018 Inside ElectionsNovember 5, 2018 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 5, 2018RCPNovember 5, 2018Daily KosNovember 5, 2018538November 7, 2018

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Dan Feehan (DFL) $4,121,229 $4,117,708 $3,521 Jim Hagedorn (R) $1,584,923 $1,584,057 $1,092

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Dan Feehan (DFL) $2,716,864 $6,911,780 Jim Hagedorn (R) $288,762 $4,101,940

District 2

Incumbent Republican Jason Lewis, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 47% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+2.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jason Lewis, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Angie Craig, former St. Jude Medical executive and nominee for this seat in 2016

Withdrawn Jeff Erdmann, high school football coach

Independence primary Candidates Withdrawn Bradley Svenson

General election Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JasonLewis (R) AngieCraig (DFL) Undecided Global Strategy Group (D)Global Strategy Group (D) October 9–14, 2018 400 ±4.9% 43% 52% 15% NYT Upshot/Siena CollegeNYT Upshot/Siena College September 29 – October 2, 2018 487 (LV) ±5.0% 39% 51% 9% WPA Intelligence (R-Lewis)WPA Intelligence (R-Lewis) September 29 – October 1, 2018 412 (LV) ±4.9% 46% 43% 9% SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 17–23, 2018 569 (LV) ±4.5% 45% 48% 7% Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D)September 17–18, 2018 531 (V) – 45% 48% 7% WPA Intelligence (R-Lewis)WPA Intelligence (R-Lewis) August 18–21, 2018 400 (LV) ±4.9% 46% 45% 9% Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) October 4–7, 2017 732 (V) ±3.6% 43% 42% 15%

Debates + 2018 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Jason Lewis Angie Craig1 Oct. 19, 2018 Twin Cities Public Television Eric EskolaCathy WurzerC-SPAN

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 5, 2018 Inside ElectionsNovember 5, 2018 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 5, 2018RCPNovember 5, 2018Daily KosNovember 5, 2018538November 7, 2018

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Jason Lewis (R) $2,916,211 $2,918,685 $7,363 Angie Craig (DFL) $5,312,788 $5,237,900 $87,391

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Jason Lewis (R) $142,761 $4,515,629 Angie Craig (DFL) $1,052,637 $3,029,749

District 3

Incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen, who had represented the district since 2009, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 57% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+1.

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

Primary results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Dean Phillips, businessman

Eliminated in primary Cole Young, retail store employee

Withdrawn Alicia Donahue, social worker and founder of the Minnesota Women’s March Adam Jennings, Tonka Bay City Council member Brian Santa Maria, former writer for The Onion and a digital advertising professional

Primary results

General election Endorsements

Debates + 2018 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district debates Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Erik Paulsen Dean Phillips1 Oct. 5, 2018 KNOW-FM Mike MulcahyYouTube 2 Oct. 19, 2018 Twin Cities Public Television Eric EskolaCathy WurzerC-SPAN

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ErikPaulsen (R) DeanPhillips (DFL) Undecided SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 24–29, 2018 607 (LV) ±4.3% 44% 49% 8% Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) September 17–18, 2018 538 (V) – 39% 52% 9% NYT Upshot/Siena CollegeNYT Upshot/Siena College September 7–9, 2018 500 (LV) ±4.6% 42% 51% 7% Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) February 12–13, 2018 664 (V) ±3.8% 43% 46% 11% Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) November 9–10, 2017 542 (V) ±4.2% 42% 46% 12%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 5, 2018 Inside ElectionsNovember 5, 2018 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 5, 2018RCPNovember 5, 2018Daily KosNovember 5, 2018538November 7, 2018

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Erik Paulsen (R) $5,778,480 $5,862,137 $283,313 Dean Phillips (DFL) $6,265,241 $6,223,759 $41,482

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Erik Paulsen (R) $803,622 $4,562,336 Dean Phillips (DFL) $1,339,786 $3,091,511

District 4

Incumbent Democrat Betty McCollum, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 58% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+14.

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

Eliminated in primary Muad Hassan Reid Rossell, oak craftsperson

Withdrawn Fasil Moghul, landlord

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Greg Ryan, businessman and nominee for this seat in 2016

Primary results

Legal Marijuana Now Candidates Nominee Susan Pendergast Sindt, nominee for this seat in 2016

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 5, 2018 Inside ElectionsNovember 5, 2018 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 5, 2018RCPNovember 5, 2018Daily KosNovember 5, 2018538November 7, 2018

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Betty McCollum (DFL) $931,351 $949,724 $106,299 Greg Ryan (R) $23,621 $20,911 $5,706 Susan Sindt (LM) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Betty McCollum (DFL) $9,518 $8,225 Greg Ryan (R) $5,000 $0 Susan Sindt (LM) $0 $0

District 5

Incumbent Democrat Keith Ellison, who had represented the district since 2007, decided to not run for re-election, instead seeking the Democratic nomination for the open Attorney General race. He was re-elected with 69% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+26.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Ilhan Omar, state representative

Eliminated in primary Jamal Abdi Abdulahi, engineer and chair of the DFL Somali-American Caucus Frank Nelson Drake, real estate agent, Republican nominee for this seat in 2016 Margaret Anderson Kelliher, former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives and candidate for governor in 2010 Patricia Torres Ray, state senator

Campaign suspended, still on ballot Bobby Joe Champion, State Senator

Withdrawn Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative, running for Attorney General in 2018 Kim Ellison, Minneapolis School Board member, former spouse of Keith Ellison Julie Sabo, former state senator and daughter of former Congressman Martin Olav Sabo

Endorsements

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jennifer Zielinski, health care worker and Republican activist

Eliminated in primary Bob Carney Jr., perennial candidate Christopher Chamberlin

Primary results

Green primary Candidates Nominee Les Lester, author and teacher (Write-in)

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 5, 2018 Inside ElectionsNovember 5, 2018 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 5, 2018RCPNovember 5, 2018Daily KosNovember 5, 2018538November 7, 2018

Results

Finances Campaigns