# Minnesota's 1st congressional district

Minnesota's 1st congressional district spans southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin. It is a primarily rural district built on a strong history of agriculture, though this is changing rapidly due to population growth in the Rochester combined statistical area. The district also includes several of Minnesota's major mid-sized cities, such as Rochester, Mankato, Winona, Austin, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Red Wing, New Ulm, Worthington, and Lake City. It is currently represented by Republican Brad Finstad.
From the state's early years until after the 2000 census, the district encompassed only southeastern Minnesota. Throughout the 20th century, it was generally regarded as solidly Republican, but it became more of a swing district in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In 2004, John Kerry received 47% of the vote in the district. In 2006, Republican Representative Gil Gutknecht lost to Democrat Tim Walz. In March 2017, Walz announced that he would not run for reelection to Congress and would instead run for governor of Minnesota. On paper, the district leans Republican, with a CPVI of R+7, but some recent elections have been among the closest in the nation, with victories by less than a single percentage point in both 2016 and 2018. In the 2022 general election, Republican Brad Finstad defeated the Democratic nominee by 11.5 points. His margin of victory was the largest of any candidate's in the district since 2012 and the best showing for a Republican since 2004.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 51% - 46% |
| 2008 | Senate | Coleman 43% - 39% |
| 2010 | Governor | Emmer 45% - 40% |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Severson 48% - 45% |
| 2010 | Auditor | Anderson 52% - 43% |
| 2010 | Attorney General | Swanson 49% - 43% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 50% - 48% |
| 2012 | Senate | Klobuchar 63% - 32% |
| 2014 | Senate | Franken 50% - 45% |
| 2014 | Governor | Johnson 48% - 46% |
| 2014 | Secretary of State | Severson 50% - 42% |
| 2014 | Auditor | Otto 45.3% - 44.8% |
| 2014 | Attorney General | Swanson 48% - 43% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 52% - 39% |
| 2018 | Senate (Reg.) | Klobuchar 54% - 42% |
| 2018 | Senate (Spec.) | Housley 48% - 47% |
| 2018 | Governor | Walz 50% - 47% |
| 2018 | Secretary of State | Howe 50% - 45% |
| 2018 | Auditor | Myhra 50% - 43% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Wardlow 52% - 42% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 53% - 44% |
| 2020 | Senate | Lewis 50% - 42% |
| 2022 | Governor | Jensen 52% - 45% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Crockett 54% - 46% |
| 2022 | Auditor | Wilson 55% - 40% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Schultz 57% - 43% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 55% - 43% |
| 2024 | Senate | Klobuchar 49% - 48% |

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties, townships, and municipalities:
Blue Earth County (36)
    All 36 townships and municipalities
Brown County (16)
    Albin Township, Cottonwood Township, Eden Township, Essig, Evan, Hanska, Home Township, Lake Hanska Township, Linden Township, Milford Township, New Ulm, Prairieville Township (part; also 7th), Sigel Township, Searles, Sleepy Eye, Stark Township
Dodge County (19)
    All 19 townships and municipalities
Fairbault County (31)
    All 31 townships and municipalities
Fillmore County (37)
    All 37 townships and municipalities
Freeborn County (34)
    All 34 townships and municipalities
Goodhue County (31)
    All 31 townships and municipalities
Houston County (24)
    All 24 townships and municipalities
Jackson County (26)
    All 26 townships and municipalities
Martin County (31)
    All 31 townships and municipalities
Mower County (34)
    All 34 townships and municipalities
Nicollet County (20)
    All 20 townships and municipalities
Nobles County (31)
    All 31 townships and municipalities
Olmsted County (26)
    All 26 townships and municipalities
Rice County (9)
    Cannon City Township, Faribault, Nerstrand, Northfield Township (part; also 2nd), Richland Township, Walcott Township, Warsaw Township, Wells Township, Wheeling Township
Rock County (20)
    All 20 townships and municipalities
Steele County (17)
    All 17 townships and municipalities
Wabasha County (28)
    All 28 townships and municipalities
Watonwan County (20)
    All 20 townships and municipalities
Winona County (32)
    All 32 townships and municipalities

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District established March 4, 1863 ||||||
| William Windom (Winona) | Republican | March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1869 | 38th 39th 40th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1862. Re-elected in 1864. Re-elected in 1866. Retired. | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Morton S. Wilkinson (Mankato) | Republican | March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871 | 41st | Elected in 1868. Lost renomination. | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Mark H. Dunnell (Owatonna) | Republican | March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1883 | 42nd 43rd 44th 45th 46th 47th | Elected in 1870. Re-elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Re-elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Mark H. Dunnell (Owatonna) | Republican | March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1883 | 42nd 43rd 44th 45th 46th 47th | Elected in 1870. Re-elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Re-elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. | 1873–1883 Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Rock, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona |
| Milo White (Chatfield) | Republican | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 | 48th 49th | Elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Retired. | 1883–1893 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona |
| Thomas Wilson (Winona) | Democratic | March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889 | 50th | Elected in 1886. Lost re-election. | 1883–1893 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona |
| Mark H. Dunnell (Owatonna) | Republican | March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | 51st | Elected in 1888. Lost re-election. | 1883–1893 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona |
| William H. Harries (Caledonia) | Democratic | March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893 | 52nd | Elected in 1890. Lost re-election. | 1883–1893 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona |
| James Albertus Tawney (Winona) | Republican | March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1911 | 53rd 54th 55th 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th | Elected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Lost renomination. | 1893–1933 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| Sydney Anderson (Lanesboro) | Republican | March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1925 | 61st 62nd 63rd 64th 65th 66th 67th 68th | Elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Retired. | 1893–1933 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| Allen J. Furlow (Rochester) | Republican | March 4, 1925 – March 3, 1929 | 69th 70th | Elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Lost renomination. | 1893–1933 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| Victor Christgau (Austin) | Republican | March 4, 1929 – March 3, 1933 | 71st 72nd | Elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Redistricted to the at-large district and lost re-election as an independent. | 1893–1933 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| District inactive | District inactive | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | 73rd | All members elected at-large. | All members elected at-large. |
| August H. Andresen (Red Wing) | Republican | January 3, 1935 – January 14, 1958 | 74th 75th 76th 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th | Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Died. | 1935–1963 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 14, 1958 – February 18, 1958 | 85th | | 1935–1963 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| Al Quie (Dennison) | Republican | February 18, 1958 – January 3, 1979 | 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th | Elected to finish Andresen's term. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Retired to run for Governor of Minnesota. | 1935–1963 Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona |
| Al Quie (Dennison) | Republican | February 18, 1958 – January 3, 1979 | 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th | Elected to finish Andresen's term. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Retired to run for Governor of Minnesota. | 1963–1973 Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona |
| Al Quie (Dennison) | Republican | February 18, 1958 – January 3, 1979 | 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th | Elected to finish Andresen's term. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Retired to run for Governor of Minnesota. | 1973–1983 Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Washington, and Winona; parts of Dakota |
| Arlen Erdahl (West St. Paul) | Republican | January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1983 | 96th 97th | Elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Lost renomination. | 1973–1983 Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Washington, and Winona; parts of Dakota |
| Tim Penny (New Richland) | Democratic (DFL) | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995 | 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired. | 1983–1993 Blue Earth, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona; parts of Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, and Scott |
| Tim Penny (New Richland) | Democratic (DFL) | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995 | 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired. | 1993–1995 Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona; parts of Dakota and Scott |
| Gil Gutknecht (Rochester) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2007 | 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Lost re-election. | 1995–2003 Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona; parts of Dakota, Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Scott |
| Gil Gutknecht (Rochester) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2007 | 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Lost re-election. | 2003–2013 Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Rock, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Le Sueur |
| Tim Walz (Mankato) | Democratic (DFL) | January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2019 | 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired to run for Governor of Minnesota. | 2003–2013 Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Rock, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Le Sueur |
| Tim Walz (Mankato) | Democratic (DFL) | January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2019 | 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired to run for Governor of Minnesota. | 2013–2023 Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Rock, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Cottonwood and Rice |
| Jim Hagedorn (Blue Earth) | Republican | January 3, 2019 – February 17, 2022 | 116th 117th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Died. | 2013–2023 Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Rock, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Cottonwood and Rice |
| Vacant | Vacant | February 17, 2022 – August 12, 2022 | 117th | | 2013–2023 Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Rock, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Cottonwood and Rice |
| Brad Finstad (New Ulm) | Republican | August 12, 2022 – present | 117th 118th 119th | Elected to finish Hagedorn's term. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2013–2023 Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Rock, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Cottonwood and Rice |
| Brad Finstad (New Ulm) | Republican | August 12, 2022 – present | 117th 118th 119th | Elected to finish Hagedorn's term. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Rock, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona; parts of Brown and Rice |

## Recent election results

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Gil Gutknecht (incumbent) | 163,532 | 61 | – |
| Democratic (DFL) | Steve Andreasen | 92,149 | 35 | – |
| Green | Gregory Mikkelson | 9,954 | 4 | – |
2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Gil Gutknecht (incumbent) | 193,132 | 60 | −1 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Leigh Pomeroy | 115,088 | 35 | – |
| Independence | Gregory Mikkelson | 15,569 | 5 | – |
2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz | 141,622 | 53 | – |
| | Republican | Gil Gutknecht (incumbent) | 126,487 | 47 | −13 |
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (incumbent) | 207,748 | 62.5 | +9.5 |
| Republican | Brian J. Davis | 109,446 | 32.9 | – |
| Independence | Gregory Mikkelson | 14,903 | 4.5 | – |
2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (incumbent) | 122,390 | 49.4 | −13.1 |
| Republican | Randy Demmer | 109,261 | 44.1 | +11.2 |
| Independence | Steven Wilson | 13,243 | 5.3 | +0.8 |
2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (incumbent) | 193,211 | 57.5 | +8.1 |
| | Republican | Allen Quist | 142,164 | 42.3 | −1.8 |
2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (incumbent) | 122,851 | 54.2 | −3.3 |
| | Republican | Jim Hagedorn | 103,536 | 45.7 | +3.4 |
2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (incumbent) | 169,076 | 50.4 | −3.8 |
| | Republican | Jim Hagedorn | 166,527 | 49.6 | +3.9 |
2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Jim Hagedorn | 146,202 | 50.1 | +0.5 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Dan Feehan | 144,891 | 49.7 | −0.7 |
2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Jim Hagedorn (incumbent) | 179,234 | 48.6 | −1.5 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Feehan | 167,890 | 45.5 | −4.2 |
| Grassroots—LC | Bill Rood | 21,448 | 5.8 | N/A |
| Write-in | Write-in | 284 | 0.1 | N/A |
2022 Minnesota's 1st congressional district special election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Brad Finstad | 59,788 | 50.7 | +2.1 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Jeff Ettinger | 55,155 | 46.8 | +1.3 |
| Legal Marijuana Now | Richard Reisdorf | 1,536 | 1.3 | N/A |
| Grassroots—LC | Haroun McClellan | 865 | 0.7 | −5.1 |
| Write-in | Write-in | 535 | 0.5 | +0.4 |
2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Brad Finstad (incumbent) | 159,621 | 53.8 | +3.1 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Jeff Ettinger | 125,457 | 42.3 | −4.5 |
| Legal Marijuana Now | Richard Reisdorf | 6,389 | 2.1 | +0.8 |
| Grassroots—LC | Brian Abrahamson | 4,943 | 1.7 | +1.0 |
| Write-in | Write-in | 137 | 0.1 | N/A |
2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, district 1 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Brad Finstad (incumbent) | 220,934 | 58.51 | +4.7 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Rachel Bohman | 156,375 | 41.41 | −0.9 |
| Write-in | Write-in | 297 | 0.08 | N/A |