2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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.

By district

Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:

District 1

Walz:
Demmer:
Tie:

Incumbent Democrat Tim Walz, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for reelection. He was reelected with 62.5% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of R+1.

No primary elections were held in the 1st congressional district in 2010.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Randy Demmer, state representative and candidate for this seat in 2008

Withdrawn

• Jim Engstrand, Minnesota Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel and Iraq veteran
• Jim Hagedorn, former congressional affairs officer for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and son of former U.S. Representative Tom Hagedorn
• Frank McKinzie, veteran
• Allen Quist, former state representative and candidate for governor in 1994 & 1998

Campaign

Shortly after launching his campaign, Quist attracted controversy for a speech he gave at the Wabasha County Republicans' December 7 Christmas Party, in which he said: "Our country is being destroyed. Every generation has had to fight the fight for freedom… Terrorism? Yes. That's not the big battle. The big battle is in D.C. with the radicals. They aren't liberals. They are radicals. Obama, Pelosi, Walz: they’re not liberals, they're radicals. They are destroying our country." He also spoke against the Affordable Health Care for America Act, saying: "This is the most insidious, evil piece of legislation I have ever seen in my life… Every one of us has to be totally committed to killing this travesty… I have to kill this bill."

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Steve Wilson, state department diplomat and former Republican candidate for state senator in 2006

Independents

• Lars Johnson, food safety certification trainer

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Stonewall Democrats

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program

Polling

Predictions

Results

Walz won the general election on November 2 with 49% of the vote to Demmer's 44%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 2

Kline:
Madore:

Incumbent Republican John Kline, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for reelection. He was reelected with 57.3% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of R+4.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Shelley Madore, former state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Dan Powers, construction contractor and candidate for this seat in 2008

Campaign

Despite losing the DFL endorsement to Powers, Madore remained in the race, much to the anger of a number of party loyalists. She was boosted by questions about Powers's résumé.

Results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Stonewall Democrats

Predictions

Results

Kline won the general election on November 2, 63% to 37%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 3

Paulsen:
Meffert:

Incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen, who had represented the district since 2009, ran for reelection. He was elected with 48.5% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of Even.

No primary elections were held in the 3rd congressional district in 2010.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Erik Paulsen, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Meffert, former President of the Minnesota Parent-Teacher Association

Withdrawn

• Maureen Hackett, Air Force veteran and forensic psychiatrist

Declined

• Terri Bonoff, state senator and candidate for this seat in 2008

General election

Campaign

Meffert lacked the funds to afford television advertising, but he gained some name recognition from the Paulsen campaign's attack ads. Political analyst David Schultz said, "Given how little money that Meffert has, you would've thought Paulsen would've just ignored Meffert completely and just run a positive campaign." Meffert responded to the attack: "It's the kind of thing that makes people cynical about politics and politicians when you hide behind a big bank account and you throw up an ad that's designed to tear down your opponent." After the Paulsen campaign included a misleading graph in a mailing, Meffert filed an ethics complaint against Paulsen.

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Stonewall Democrats

Predictions

Results

Paulsen won the general election on November 2, 59% to 37%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 4

McCollum:
Collett:

Incumbent Betty McCollum, who had represented the district since 2001, ran for reelection. She was reelected with 68.4% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of D+13.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Diana Longrie, attorney and former Mayor of Maplewood

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Teresa Collett, law professor at the University of St. Thomas

Eliminated in primary

• Jack Shepard, fugitive, alleged arsonist, and former Minneapolis dentist who fled the country after allegedly attempting to burn down his dental office

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Steve Carlson, consultant and writer

Results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Predictions

Results

McCollum won the general election on November 2, 59% to 35%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 5

Ellison:
Demos: Tie:

Incumbent Keith Ellison, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for reelection. Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to Congress. He was reelected with 67.7% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of D+23.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gregg A. Iverson, perennial candidate and U.S. Army veteran
• Barb Davis White, minister, author, civil rights activist and Republican nominee for this seat in 2008

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joel Demos, banker

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tom Schrunk, artist and designer

Results

Other candidates

• Michael Cavlan, political activist, registered nurse and Green nominee for U.S. Senate in 2006 (Independent Progressive)
• Lynne Torgerson, attorney and candidate for State House, District 59A in 2008 (Independent)

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Stonewall Democrats

Predictions

Results

Ellison won the general election on November 2, 68% to 24%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 6

Bachmann:
Clark:
Tie:

Incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for reelection. She was reelected with 46.4% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of R+7.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary

The DFL endorsed Tarryl Clark, the state senate assistant majority leader. She was Bachmann's sole Democratic challenger, Maureen Reed having dropped out of the race in June. A physician and former University of Minnesota regent chair, Reed threw her support behind Clark, saying she felt "it is time for the DFL to unify behind one candidate in this race".

Candidates

Nominee

• Tarryl Clark, state senator and assistant majority leader of the Minnesota State Senate

Eliminated in primary

• Maureen Reed, physician, former chair of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and Independence nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2006

Withdrawn

• Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation and nominee for this seat in 2008

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Anderson, dental technician

Results

Other candidates

• Aubrey Immelman, associate professor of psychology and Republican candidate for this seat in 2008 (Independent)

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• Stonewall Democrats

Polling

Bachmann vs. Reed

Predictions

Results

Bachmann won the general election on November 2, 52% to 38%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 7

Peterson:
Byberg:
Tie:

Incumbent Collin Peterson, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for reelection. He was reelected with 72.2% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of R+5.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Lee Byberg, business executive

Eliminated in primary

• Alan Roebke, farmer and candidate for this seat in 2008

Withdrawn

• Glen Menze, accountant and nominee for this seat in 2008

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Glen Menze, accountant and Republican nominee for this seat in 2008

Results

Other candidates

• Gene Waldorf, former DFL state senator (Independent)

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "On the Radar" Program

Predictions

Results

Peterson won the general election on November 2, 55% to 38%.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

District 8

Cravaack:
Oberstar:
Tie:

Incumbent Jim Oberstar, who had represented the district since 1975, ran for reelection. He was reelected with 67.7% of the vote in 2008. The district had a PVI of D+3.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• W. D. (Bill) Ham, chair of the Freedom Coalition of Minnesota

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chip Cravaack, former Northwest Airlines pilot

Withdrawn

• Michael Cummins, small business owner and nominee for this seat in 2008 (withdrew February 2010 endorsed Cravaack)
• Justin Eichorn, small business owner
• Rob Fransworth, special education teacher
• Darrel Trulson, business owner

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Timothy Olson, sawmill operator

Results

Constitution primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Richard (George) Burton, electrician

General election

Campaign

Cravaack entered the race as the underdog. He was a political novice and Democrats had held the 8th district since 1947. Oberstar was the longest-serving congressman in Minnesota history and had never received less than 59% of the vote.

Cravaack campaigned on a standard Republican platform of free-market principles and government spending cuts while attacking Oberstar's vote for the ACA. He later claimed that Obamacare allowed for the payment of abortions with taxpayer funds and encouraged euthanasia for the elderly and was an example of socialized medicine that would result in the rationing of medical care, all of which lacked any supporting evidence.

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

U.S. Representatives

• Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House

Organizations

• Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
• National Republican Congressional Committee "On the Radar" Program

Newspapers

• Duluth News Tribune

Polling

Predictions

Results

In what MinnPost called one of the biggest upsets in Minnesota political history, Cravaack defeated Oberstar by 4,399 votes.

Finances

Campaigns

Outside Spending

External links

• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Race Profile at The New York Times

References

References

1. Haas, Karen L.. (June 3, 2011). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010". [[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
2. (31 October 2010). "Election Profile: Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District". University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing.
3. "Minnesota Legislative Manual 2011-2012 - State Primary August 10, 2010 Voter Registration and Voter Participation".
4. (1 November 2010). "Walz, Demmer in tight race for Minnesota's 1st District". Minnesota Public Radio.
5. (1 December 2009). "Rep. Demmer to run for Congress". Star Tribune.
6. (17 April 2010). "Demmer to face Walz in November". Minnesota Public Radio.
7. (15 February 2010). "Another GOPer officially announces run for Walz's seat". Post-Bulletin.
8. (October 15, 2009). "Two GOP candidates with familiar names consider run against Walz". [[Post-Bulletin]].
9. (7 December 2009). "Blue Earth man makes bid for Congress". Faribault County Register.
10. (1 December 2009). "Challengers sign up to face Walz, Paulsen in Minnesota". The Hill.
11. Birkey, Andy. (January 4, 2010). "Quist: Defeating liberals a bigger battle than defeating terrorism". [[The Minnesota Independent]].
12. (13 April 2010). "Independence Party endorses Wilson to run against Walz". Post-Bulletin.
13. "Minnesota AFL-CIO Candidate Endorsements". AFL-CIO.
14. (19 September 2010). "2010 endorsements". Stonewall DFL.
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31. (19 October 2009). "Bonoff "open" to another run for Congress". Minnesota Public Radio.
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33. Roper, Eric. (September 27, 2010). "Paulsen launches TV offensive against Meffert". Star Tribune.
34. (October 8, 2010). "Paulsen hits Meffert with second ad". Star Tribune.
35. Pugmire, Tim. (October 13, 2010). "Negative ads bring attention to 3rd District race". Minnesota Public Radio.
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38. (September 22, 2010). "Meffert campaign files complaint over Paulsen mailer". KARE 11.
39. "Patriot Program". NRCC.
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41. (8 July 2010). "Clark vs. Bachmann: This race is red hot". StarTribune.
42. (24 August 2010). "Bachmann vs. Clark -- how close a race in the 6th?". Minnesota Public Radio.
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54. (15 August 2010). "Forum editorial: A lousy loser gets the spurge".
55. (15 January 2010). "Glen Menze to challenge Rep. Collin Peterson, again". MinnPost.
56. (28 May 2010). "Two more join Minnesota 8th District House race". Grand Forks Herald.
57. (8 April 2010). "Chip Cravaack declares candidacy for Minnesota's 8th District". Pine Journal.
58. (11 February 2010). "Republican Candidate for 8th Congressional District". WDIO-TV.
59. (24 February 2010). "Cummins withdraws from District 8 Congressional race, backs Seifert for Gov.". Burnett County Sentinel.
60. Eric Roper. (October 14, 2010). "Has 'The Dean' met his match?". [[Star Tribune]].
61. Kevin Diaz and Eric Roper. (November 13, 2010). "Chip Cravaack gets ready to report for duty". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
62. Bruce Bisping. (October 23, 2010). "Jobs carry debate as Oberstar-Cravaack rematch stays civil". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
63. Steve Karnowski. (November 3, 2010). "Cravaack plays giant killer in Congressional race". Winona Daily News.
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66. Albert Eisele. (November 4, 2010). "Oberstar's stunning defeat makes history". The Minnesota Post.
67. Renalls, Candace. (November 3, 2010). "Cravaack defeats Oberstar in 8th District race". Duluth News Tribune.