# 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

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The 2008 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 4, 2008. All 8 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.
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 well as 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

| Party | Party | Candidates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candidates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Democratic-Farmer-Labor | 8 | 1,612,480 | 57.53 | 5 | | 62.50 |
| | Republican | 8 | 1,069,015 | 38.14 | 3 | | 37.50 |
| | Independence | 4 | 116,835 | 4.17 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Write-in | 8 | 4,284 | 0.15 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| Total | Total | 28 | 2,802,614 | 100.0 | 8 | | 100.0 |
Popular vote
Democratic
57.53%
Republican
38.14%
Independence
4.17%
Other
0.15% :
House seats
Democratic
62.50%
Republican
37.50% :

### By district

Results of the 2008 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 | 207,753 | 62.50% | 109,453 | 32.93% | 15,194 | 4.57% | 332,400 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 2 | 164,093 | 42.55% | 220,924 | 57.29% | 639 | 0.16% | 385,656 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 3 | 150,787 | 40.85% | 178,932 | 48.48% | 39,385 | 10.67% | 369,104 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 4 | 216,267 | 68.44% | 98,936 | 31.31% | 815 | 0.26% | 316,018 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 5 | 228,776 | 70.88% | 71,020 | 22.00% | 22,951 | 7.12% | 322,747 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 6 | 175,786 | 43.43% | 187,817 | 46.41% | 41,122 | 10.15% | 404,725 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 7 | 227,187 | 72.20% | 87,062 | 27.67% | 431 | 0.14% | 314,680 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 8 | 241,831 | 67.69% | 114,871 | 32.15% | 582 | 0.16% | 357,284 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| Total | 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

Democratic primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (Incumbent) | 20,998 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,998 | 100.0 |

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

* Brian J. Davis, Mayo Clinic physician

##### Eliminated in primary

* Dick Day, state senator and former state senator Majority Leader (1997–2007)

##### Withdrawn

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

#### Results

Republican primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian J. Davis | 17,196 | 66.7 |
| | Republican | Dick Day | 8,480 | 33.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,676 | 100.0 |

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

* Gregory Mikkelson

#### Results

Independence primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Gregory Mikkelson | 1,043 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,043 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely D | November 6, 2008 |
| Rothenberg | Safe D | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D | November 6, 2008 |
| Real Clear Politics | Safe D | November 7, 2008 |
| CQ Politics | Likely D | November 6, 2008 |

#### Results

Walz won a second term, garnering 62.5% of the vote.
Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (Incumbent) | 207,753 | 62.5 |
| | Republican | Brian J. Davis | 109,453 | 32.9 |
| | Independence | Gregory Mikkelson | 14,904 | 4.5 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 290 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 332,400 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |

## 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. He was also endorsed by the Independence Party of Minnesota.

#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Steve Sarvi, Iraq War veteran and former Mayor of Watertown

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely R | November 6, 2008 |
| Rothenberg | Safe R | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | November 6, 2008 |
| Real Clear Politics | Safe R | November 7, 2008 |
| CQ Politics | Likely R | November 6, 2008 |

#### Results

Kline won garnering 57.3% of the vote.
Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Kline (Incumbent) | 220,924 | 57.3 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Steve Sarvi | 164,093 | 42.5 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 639 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 385,656 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 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)

#### Results

Republican primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Erik Paulsen | 14,187 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,187 | 100.0 |

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

* Ashwin Madia, attorney and Iraq War veteran

##### Withdrawn

* Terri Bonoff, state senator
* Jim Hovland, Mayor of Edina (withdrew March 2008)

#### Endorsements

Labor unions
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Organizations
* Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
* Emily's List
* Minnesota Forward

#### Results

Democratic primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Ashwin Madia | 20,830 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,830 | 100.0 |

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

* David Dillon, businessman

##### Eliminated in primary

* Steev Ramsdell

#### Results

Independence primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | David Dillon | 674 | 72.8 |
| | Independence | Steev Ramsdell | 252 | 27.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 926 | 100.0 |

### Constitution primary
#### Candidates
##### Withdrawn

* Harley Swarm

### General election
#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Erik Paulsen (R) | Ashwin Madia (D) | David Dillon (IP) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | October 29–30, 2008 | 647 | ± 3.9% | 46% | 41% | 10% | 3% |
| SurveyUSA | October 26–27, 2008 | 643 | ± 3.9% | 45% | 44% | 9% | 2% |
| SurveyUSA | October 6–7, 2008 | 634 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 46% | 8% | 3% |
| Bennett, Petts and Normington (D-DCCC) | September 29–30, 2008 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 39% | 44% | 8% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | August 26–28, 2008 | 636 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 41% | 10% | 6% |

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 6, 2008 |
| Rothenberg | Lean D (flip) | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean R | November 6, 2008 |
| Real Clear Politics | Tossup | November 7, 2008 |
| CQ Politics | Tossup | November 6, 2008 |

#### Results

Paulsen won the 2008 race, garnering 48.5% of the vote.
Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Erik Paulsen | 178,932 | 48.5 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Ashwin Madia | 150,787 | 40.9 |
| | Independence | David Dillon | 38,970 | 10.6 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 415 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 369,104 | 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 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
#### Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

#### Results

McCollum won the race, garnering 68.4% of the vote.
Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 216,267 | 68.4 |
| | Republican | Ed Matthews | 98,936 | 31.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 815 | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 316,018 | 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 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

#### Results

Democratic primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Keith Ellison | 33,988 | 84.5 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Gregg A. Iverson | 6,251 | 15.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,239 | 100.0 |

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

* Barb Davis White, minister, author, and civil rights activist

#### Results

Republican primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Barb Davis White | 5,284 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,284 | 100.0 |

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

* Bill McGaughey

#### Results

Independence Party primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Bill McGaughey | 828 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 828 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

#### Results

Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Keith Ellison (Incumbent) | 228,776 | 70.9 |
| | Republican | Barb Davis White | 71,020 | 22.0 |
| | Independence | Bill McGaughey | 22,318 | 6.9 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 633 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 322,747 | 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 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

#### Results

Republican primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michele Bachmann (Incumbent) | 19,127 | 85.9 |
| | Republican | Aubrey Immelman | 3,134 | 14.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,261 | 100.0 |

### 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

Democratic primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | El Tinklenberg | 17,474 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,474 | 100.0 |

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

* Bob Anderson

#### Results

Independence Party primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Bob Anderson | 828 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 828 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Campaign

Bachmann's charges about "anti-American views" shifted the political dynamics of this campaign, giving a lift to Tinklenberg's candidacy and attracting $1.3 million in new contributions, plus $1 million from the DNC. At the same time the RNC withdrew media buys on behalf of Bachmann.

#### Endorsements

Labor unions
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michele Bachmann (R) | Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) | Bob Anderson (IP) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | October 29–30, 2008 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 45% | 6% | 3% |
| Minnesota Public Radio | October 21–23, 2008 | 430 | ± 4.7% | 43% | 45% | 5% | 7% |
| SurveyUSA | October 21–22, 2008 | 621 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 47% | 6% | 2% |
| Grove Insight (D-DCCC) | October 10–12, 2008 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 42% | 38% | 5% | 15% |

#### Predictions

CQ Politics changed its forecast from 'Republican Favored' to 'Leans Republican' on October 20, and then to 'No Clear Favorite' on October 28. The Cook Political Report then rated it as 'Republican Toss Up'.
| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 6, 2008 |
| Rothenberg | Tilt D (flip) | November 2, 2008 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D (flip) | November 6, 2008 |
| Real Clear Politics | Tossup | November 7, 2008 |
| CQ Politics | Tossup | November 6, 2008 |

#### Results

Despite the controversy, Bachmann was re-elected, garnering 46.4% of the vote to Tinklenberg's 43.4% and Anderson's 10%.
Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michele Bachmann (Incumbent) | 187,817 | 46.4 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Elwyn Tinklenberg | 175,786 | 43.4 |
| | Independence | Bob Anderson | 40,643 | 10.0 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 479 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 404,725 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 7

This district covers almost all of the western side of Minnesota from the Canada–US border down to Lincoln County and is the largest district in the state. Incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson, who had represented the district since 1991, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69.7% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+6.

### Democratic primary

As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, 9-term DFLer Collin Peterson is at home in this mostly-agricultural district. Although the district leans Republican, Peterson's social conservatism and farmer/labor DFL values served him well in his district.

#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

#### Results

Democratic primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent) | 21,791 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,791 | 100.0 |

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

* Glen Menze, accountant and nominee for this seat in 2000

##### Eliminated in primary

* Alan Roebke, farmer and convicted felon

#### Results

Republican primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Glen Menze | 7,698 | 51.8 |
| | Republican | Alan Roebke | 7,172 | 48.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,870 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

#### Results

Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent) | 227,187 | 72.2 |
| | Republican | Glen Menze | 87,062 | 27.7 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 431 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 314,680 | 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 63.6% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+4.

### Democratic primary

Seventeen-term veteran DFLer, Jim Oberstar was Minnesota's senior representative. In 2006, former Republican U.S. Senator Rod Grams challenged Oberstar, garnering 34% of the vote. In 2008, 74-year-old Oberstar maintained his popularity among his constituency. The district leaned Democratic owing to the loyalty of miners, loggers, and farmers to the DFL.
On May 3, 2008, the 8th District DFL endorsed Oberstar for another term.

#### Candidates
##### Nominee

* Jim Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

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

* Michael Cummins, small business owner

### General election
#### Predictions

CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.

#### Results

Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | James L. Oberstar (Incumbent) | 241,831 | 67.7 |
| | Republican | Michael Cummins | 114,871 | 32.2 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 582 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 357,284 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |