# 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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The 2006 congressional elections in Minnesota were held on November 7, 2006, to determine who would represent the state of Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives.
Minnesota had eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 110th Congress from January 3, 2007, until January 3, 2009. The election coincided with the Senate election and the gubernatorial election.

## Overview
### Statewide

| Party | Party | Candidates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candidates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Democratic-Farmer-Labor | 8 | 1,152,621 | 52.90 | 5 | 1 | 62.50 |
| | Republican | 8 | 924,636 | 42.43 | 3 | 1 | 37.50 |
| | Independence | 3 | 85,815 | 3.94 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Unity | 1 | 5,508 | 0.25 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Green | 1 | 4,792 | 0.23 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Constitution | 1 | 3,303 | 0.15 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Write-in | 8 | 2,299 | 0.11 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| Total | Total | 30 | 2,178,974 | 100.0 | 8 | | 100.0 |
Popular vote
Democratic
52.90%
Republican
42.43%
Independence
3.94%
Other
0.73% :
House seats
Democratic
62.50%
Republican
37.50% :

### By district

Results of the 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota by district:
| District | Democratic | Democratic | Republican | Republican | Others | Others | Total | Total | Result |
| District | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Result |
| District 1 | 141,556 | 52.74% | 126,486 | 47.12% | 379 | 0.14% | 268,421 | 100.0% | Democratic gain |
| District 2 | 116,343 | 40.04% | 163,269 | 56.20% | 10,928 | 3.76% | 290,540 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 3 | 99,588 | 35.04% | 184,333 | 64.85% | 323 | 0.11% | 284,244 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 4 | 172,096 | 69.54% | 74,797 | 30.23% | 573 | 0.23% | 247,466 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 5 | 136,060 | 55.56% | 52,263 | 21.34% | 56,582 | 23.10% | 244,905 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 6 | 127,144 | 42.07% | 151,248 | 50.05% | 23,796 | 7.88% | 302,188 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 7 | 179,164 | 69.66% | 74,557 | 28.99% | 3,473 | 1.35% | 257,194 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 8 | 180,670 | 63.61% | 97,683 | 34.39% | 5,663 | 1.99% | 284,016 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| Total | 1,152,621 | 52.90% | 924,636 | 42.43% | 101,717 | 4.67% | 2,178,974 | 100.0% | |

## District 1

Incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht, who had represented the district since 1995, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59.6% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of R+1.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative

##### Eliminated in primary

* Gregory Mikkelson

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent) | 24,725 | 87.3 |
| | Republican | Gregory Mikkelson | 3,600 | 12.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,325 | 100.0 |

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Tim Walz, high school teacher and retired Army National Guard NCO

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz | 26,475 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,475 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Debate

* Complete video of debate, October 26, 2006

#### Campaign

In his bid for a seventh term in Congress, incumbent Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht faced off against Tim Walz, a high school teacher and the DFL nominee in this swing district based in southern Minnesota.

##### Endorsements

Individuals
* Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Tilt R | November 6, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics | Lean R | November 7, 2006 |
| CQ Politics | Lean R | November 7, 2006 |

#### Results

Walz upset Gutknecht by a margin of 5.6%.
Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz | 141,556 | 52.7 |
| | Republican | Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent) | 126,486 | 47.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 379 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 268,421 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican | Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican | Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican | Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican |

## 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 56.4% of the vote in 2004. The district had a PVI of R+3.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Coleen Rowley, former FBI special agent and political activist

### General election
#### Endorsements

U.S. Representatives
* John Murtha (D-PA-12)
Individuals
* Wesley Clark, retired Army General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely R | November 6, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics | Safe R | November 7, 2006 |
| CQ Politics | Likely R | November 7, 2006 |

#### Results

Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Kline | 163,269 | 56.2 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Coleen Rowley | 116,343 | 40.0 |
| | Independence | Douglas Williams | 10,802 | 3.7 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 126 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 290,540 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 3

This conservative district encompassed the northern, western, and southern suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Hennepin County and Anoka County. Incumbent Republican Jim Ramstad, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64.6% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of Even.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) | 17,579 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,579 | 100.0 |

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Wendy Wilde, local radio host

##### Eliminated in primary

* Kevin Ray Smith
* Gavin Sullivan

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Wendy Wilde | 19,259 | 76.8 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Kevin Ray Smith | 2,911 | 11.6 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Gavin Sullivan | 2,894 | 11.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,064 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Ramstad (Incumbent) | 184,333 | 64.9 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Wendy Wilde | 99,588 | 35.0 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 323 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 284,244 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 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 57.5% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of D+13.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 37,397 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,397 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Obi Sium, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources employee

##### Eliminated in primary

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

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Obi Sium | 8,802 | 64.2 |
| | Republican | Jack Shepard | 4,908 | 35.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,710 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 172,096 | 69.5 |
| | Republican | Obi Sium | 74,797 | 30.2 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 573 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 247,466 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |

## 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 Martin Olav Sabo, who had represented the district since 1979, decided to retire, creating an open seat. He was re-elected with 69.7% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of D+21.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Keith Ellison, state representative from district 58B since 2003

##### Eliminated in primary

* Mike Erlandson, chief of staff to Martin Olav Sabo
* Andrew Vincent Favorite
* Gregg A. Iverson
* Paul Ostrow, Minneapolis City Councilor
* Ember Reichgott Junge, former state senator from district 46 (1983–2001)
* Patrick J. Wiles

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Keith Ellison | 29,003 | 41.2 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Mike Erlandson | 21,857 | 31.1 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Ember Reichgott Junge | 14,454 | 20.5 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Paul Ostrow | 3,795 | 5.4 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Andrew Vincent Favorite | 470 | 0.7 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Gregg A. Iverson | 448 | 0.6 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Patrick J. Wiles | 347 | 0.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 70,374 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Alan Fine, businessman

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Alan Fine | 7,352 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,352 | 100.0 |

### Independence primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Tammy Lee, former press secretary for United States Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and communications director for Skip Humphrey's 1998 gubernatorial campaign

#### Results

Independence Party Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Tammy Lee | 1,086 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,086 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

Despite a surprisingly strong performance by Lee, Ellison emerged victorious, and became the first African-American Congressman from Minnesota and the first Muslim in Congress.
Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Keith Ellison | 136,060 | 55.6 |
| | Republican | Alan Fine | 52,263 | 21.3 |
| | Independence | Tammy Lee | 51,456 | 21.0 |
| | Green | Jay Pond | 4,792 | 2.0 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 334 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 244,905 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |

## District 6

This district includes most or all of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. Incumbent Republican Mark Kennedy, who had represented the district since 2007, declined to seek a fourth term in Congress, instead opting to run for Senate in the wake of then-Senator Mark Dayton's retirement. Kennedy was re-elected with 54.0% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of R+5.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Michele Bachmann, state senator

##### Withdrawn

* Jay Esmay, businessman
* Phil Krinkie, state representative
* Jim Knoblach, state representative
* Cheri Yecke, former Minnesota Commissioner of Education

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Patty Wetterling, national advocate of children's safety and nominee for this seat in 2004 (endorsed Wetterling)

##### Withdrawn

* Scott Mortensen
* Elwyn Tinklenberg, former Mayor of Blaine

### Independence primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* John Paul Binkowski, project coordinator for Johnson Controls

### General election
#### Campaign

During the campaign, Wetterling attacked Bachmann for voting against increased restrictions on sex offenders, while Bachmann accused Wetterling of wanting to negotiate with terrorists, charges each denied.

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Tilt R | November 6, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics | Lean R | November 7, 2006 |
| CQ Politics | Tossup | November 7, 2006 |

#### Results

Despite polling that indicated that the race would be close, and although this was the most expensive House race in Minnesota, Bachmann defeated Wetterling by a large margin, with Binkowski receiving about 8%.
Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michele Bachmann | 151,248 | 50.1 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Patty Wetterling | 127,144 | 42.1 |
| | Independence | John Paul Binkowski | 23,557 | 7.8 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 239 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 302,188 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 7

Incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 66.1% of the vote in 2004 and the district had a PVI of R+6. This conservative, rural district based in western Minnesota had tendency the district's to vote for Republicans at the national level, however Peterson had been able to hold on to his seat with ease since his first election in 1990.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

##### Eliminated in primary

* Erik Thompson

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Collin C. Peterson | 33,732 | 86.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Erik Thompson | 5,476 | 14.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,208 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Michael J. Barrett, pharmacist

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael J. Barrett | 20,475 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,475 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Results

Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Collin Peterson (Incumbent) | 179,164 | 69.7 |
| | Republican | Michael J. Barrett | 74,557 | 29.0 |
| | Constitution | Ken Lucier | 3,303 | 1.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 170 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 257,194 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |

## District 8

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 65.2% of the vote in 2008 and the district had a PVI of D+4.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Rod Grams, former U.S. Senator

### General election
#### Campaign

Oberstar sought a 17th term and faced former United States Senator Rod Grams, who lived outside the district and had represented the 6th district in Congress twelve years earlier.

#### Results

Despite Grams's high stature and name recognition, he posed no serious threat to Oberstar, who was re-elected in a landslide.
Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Jim Oberstar (incumbent) | 180,670 | 63.6 |
| | Republican | Rod Grams | 97,683 | 34.4 |
| | Unity | Harry Welty | 5,508 | 1.9 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 155 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 284,016 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |