# 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

Elections in Minnesota :
General elections
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026 :
Federal elections
Presidential elections
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1900
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
Dem
2004
Dem
2008
Dem
Rep
2012
2016
Dem
Rep
2020
Dem
Rep
2024
Dem
Rep
LMN
Senate elections
Class 1
1858
1863
1869
1875
1881
1886
1892
1899
1901 (sp)
1905
1911
1916
1922
1928
1934
1940
1946
1952
1958
1964
1970
1976
1978 (sp)
1982
1988
1994
2000
2006
2012
2018
2024
Class 2
1858
1865
1871 (sp)
1871
1877
1881 (sp)
1883
1888
1895
1901
1907
1913
1918
1923 (sp)
1924
1930
1936 (sp)
1936
1942 (sp)
1942
1948
1954
1960
1966
1972
1978
1984
1990
1996
2002
2008
2014
2018 (sp)
2020
2026
House of Representatives
1849 (Terr)
1850 (Terr)
1852 (Terr)
1854 (Terr)
1856 (Terr)
1857
1859
1860
1862
1864
1866
1868
1870
1872
1874
1876
1878
1880
1882
1884
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1929
5th sp
7th sp
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1977
7th sp
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
5th
6th
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
1st sp
2024
2026 :
State executive elections
Gubernatorial elections
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026
Lieutenant gubernatorial elections
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1966
1970
Secretary of State elections
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026
State Auditor elections
1857
1863
1869
1875
1881
1886
1890
1894
1898
1902
1906
1910
1914
1918
1922
1926
1930
1934
1938
1942
1946
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
Attorney General elections
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026 :
State legislative elections
Senate elections
1890
1894
1898
1902
1906
1910
1976
1980
1982
1986
1990
1992
1996
2000
2002
2006
2010
2012
2016
2020
2022
2026
House of Representatives elections
1910
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026
Special elections
Senate
House of Representatives :
Ballot questions
2012
Amendment 1
Amendment 2 :
Minneapolis
General elections
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
Mayoral elections
1957
1959
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
City Council elections
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2023
2025
City ballot questions
Question 2 (2021) :
Saint Paul
Mayoral elections
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025 :
vte :
The 2010 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 2, 2010. All eight congressional seats in the state's delegation were contested. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th United States Congress from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013.
The 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial, 2010 Minnesota House elections and 2010 Minnesota Senate elections occurred on the same date, as well as many local elections and ballot initiatives.
The 111th congressional delegation from the U.S. state of Minnesota had five Democratic Farmer Labor Party members (DFLers) and 3 Republicans. All the incumbents were reelected except District 8's Jim Oberstar, who was defeated in his bid for a 19th term. This left Minnesota with an equal number of Democratic and Republican representatives.

## Overview

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.

### Statewide

| Party | Party | Candidates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candidates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Democratic-Farmer-Labor | 8 | 1,002,026 | 47.93 | 4 | 1 | 50.00 |
| | Republican | 8 | 970,741 | 46.43 | 4 | 1 | 50.00 |
| | Independence | 7 | 84,816 | 4.05 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Independent | 5 | 23,387 | 1.12 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Constitution | 1 | 2,492 | 0.11 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| | Write-in | 8 | 1,639 | 0.08 | 0 | | 0.0 |
| Total | Total | 37 | 2,090,591 | 100.0 | 8 | | 100.0 |
Popular vote
Democratic
47.93%
Republican
46.43%
Independence
4.05%
Constitution
0.11%
Other
1.45% :
House seats
Democratic
50.00%
Republican
50.00% :

### By district

Results of the 2010 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 | 122,365 | 49.34% | 109,242 | 44.05% | 16,398 | 6.61% | 248,005 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 2 | 104,809 | 36.59% | 181,341 | 63.30% | 303 | 0.11% | 286,453 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 3 | 100,240 | 36.57% | 161,177 | 58.80% | 12,675 | 4.62% | 274,092 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 4 | 136,746 | 59.09% | 80,141 | 34.63% | 14,539 | 6.28% | 231,426 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 5 | 154,833 | 67.69% | 55,222 | 24.14% | 18,691 | 8.17% | 228,746 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 6 | 120,846 | 39.79% | 159,476 | 52.51% | 23,369 | 7.70% | 303,691 | 100.0% | Republican hold |
| District 7 | 133,096 | 55.20% | 90,652 | 37.60% | 17,349 | 7.20% | 241,097 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 8 | 129,091 | 46.59% | 133,490 | 48.18% | 14,500 | 5.23% | 277,081 | 100.0% | Republican gain |
| Total | 1,002,026 | 47.93% | 970,741 | 46.43% | 117,824 | 5.64% | 2,090,591 | 100.0% | |

## District 1

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
#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tim Walz (DFL) | Randy Demmer (R) | Steven Wilson (IP) | Lars Johnson (I) | Undecided |
| Survey USA | October 22–26, 2010 | 558 (LV) | ±4.2% | 50% | 41% | 4% | 2% | 4% |
| Grove Insight (D) | October 18–19, 2010 | 400 (LV) | ±4.9% | 50% | 34% | 5% | 5% | 13% |
| Survey USA | October 12–14, 2010 | 584 (LV) | ±4.1% | 47% | 42% | 4% | 2% | 5% |

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Lean D | November 1, 2010 |
| Rothenberg | Likely D | November 1, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D | November 1, 2010 |
| RCP | Lean D | November 1, 2010 |
| CQ Politics | Lean D | October 28, 2010 |
| New York Times | Lean D | November 1, 2010 |
| FiveThirtyEight | Likely D | November 1, 2010 |

#### Results

Walz won the general election on November 2 with 49% of the vote to Demmer's 44%.
Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tim Walz (Incumbent) | 122,365 | 49.3 |
| | Republican | Randy Demmer | 109,242 | 44.1 |
| | Independence | Steve Wilson | 13,242 | 5.3 |
| | Party Free | Lars Johnson | 3,054 | 1.2 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 102 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 248,005 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 2

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

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Kline (Incumbent) | 16,151 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,151 | 100.0 |

### 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

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Shelley Madore | 19,990 | 54.7 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Dan Powers | 16,528 | 45.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,518 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

CQ Politics rated the seat "Safe Republican".

#### Results

Kline won the general election on November 2, 63% to 37%.
Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Kline (Incumbent) | 181,341 | 63.3 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Shelley Madore | 104,809 | 36.6 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 303 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 286,453 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 3

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.

#### Predictions

CQ Politics rated the seat "Safe Republican".

#### Results

Paulsen won the general election on November 2, 59% to 37%.
Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Erik Paulsen (Incumbent) | 161,177 | 58.8 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Jim Meffert | 100,240 | 36.6 |
| | Independence | Jon Olseon | 12,508 | 4.6 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 167 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 274,092 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 4

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

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 55,491 | 86.6 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Diana Longrie | 8,622 | 13.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,113 | 100.0 |

### 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

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Teresa Collett | 6,949 | 67.2 |
| | Republican | Jack Shepard | 3,392 | 32.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,341 | 100.0 |

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

* Steve Carlson, consultant and writer

#### Results

Independence Party Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Steve Carlson | 1,550 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,550 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

CQ Politics rated the seat "Safe Democratic".

#### Results

McCollum won the general election on November 2, 59% to 35%.
Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Betty McCollum (Incumbent) | 136,746 | 59.1 |
| | Republican | Teresa Collett | 80,141 | 34.6 |
| | Independence | Steve Carlson | 14,207 | 6.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 332 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 231,426 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 5

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

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Keith Ellison (Incumbent) | 55,424 | 81.6 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Barb Davis White | 7,963 | 11.7 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Gregg A. Iverson | 4,575 | 6.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 67,962 | 100.0 |

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

* Joel Demos, banker

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Demos | 4,975 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,975 | 100.0 |

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

* Tom Schrunk

#### Results

Independence Party Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Tom Schrunk | 1,202 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,202 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

CQ Politics rated the seat "Safe Democratic".

#### Results

Ellison won the general election on November 2, 68% to 24%.
Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Keith Ellison (Incumbent) | 154,833 | 67.7 |
| | Republican | Joel Demos | 55,222 | 24.1 |
| | Independent | Lynne Torgerson | 8,548 | 3.7 |
| | Independence | Tom Schrunk | 7,446 | 3.3 |
| | Independent | Michael James Cavlan | 2,468 | 1.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 229 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 228,746 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 6

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

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michele Bachmann (Incumbent) | 17,237 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,237 | 100.0 |

### 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 Kennedy Reed, physician and chair of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota

##### Withdrawn

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

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tarryl Clark | 28,185 | 69.1 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Maureen Kennedy Reed | 12,603 | 30.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,788 | 100.0 |

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

* Bob Anderson, dental technician

#### Results

Independence Party Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Bob Anderson | 1,418 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,418 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michele Bachmann (R) | Tarryl Clark (DFL) | Bob Anderson (IP) | Aubrey Immelsman (I) | Undecided |
| Survey USA | September 15, 2010 | 582 (LV) | ±4.1% | 49% | 40% | 6% | 1% | 4% |
| Survey USA | July 9–11, 2010 | 565 (LV) | ±4.2% | 48% | 39% | 6% | 2% | 5% |
| Public Policy Polling | December 17–20, 2009 | 719 (RV) | ±3.7% | 55% | 37% | – | – | 8% |
Bachmann vs. Reed
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michele Bachmann (R) | Maureen Reed (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | December 17–20, 2009 | 719 (RV) | ±3.7% | 53% | 37% | 10% |

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely R | November 1, 2010 |
| Rothenberg | Safe R | November 1, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely R | November 1, 2010 |
| RCP | Likely R | November 1, 2010 |
| CQ Politics | Safe R | October 28, 2010 |
| New York Times | Lean R | November 1, 2010 |
| FiveThirtyEight | Safe R | November 1, 2010 |

#### Results

Bachmann won the general election on November 2, 52% to 38%.
Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michele Bachmann (Incumbent) | 159,476 | 52.5 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Tarryl Clark | 120,846 | 39.8 |
| | Independence | Bob Anderson | 17,698 | 5.8 |
| | Independent | Aubrey Immelsman | 5,490 | 1.8 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 181 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 303,691 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 7

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

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Collin Peterson (Incumbent) | 42,104 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,104 | 100.0 |

### 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

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lee Byberg | 11,417 | 61.0 |
| | Republican | Alan Roebke | 7,315 | 39.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,732 | 100.0 |

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

* Glen R. Menze, accountant and Republican nominee for this seat in 2008

#### Results

Independence Party Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Glen R. Menze | 2,242 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,242 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | November 1, 2010 |
| Rothenberg | Safe D | November 1, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | November 1, 2010 |
| RCP | Likely D | November 1, 2010 |
| CQ Politics | Safe D | October 28, 2010 |
| New York Times | Safe D | November 1, 2010 |
| FiveThirtyEight | Safe D | November 1, 2010 |

#### Results

Peterson won the general election on November 2, 55% to 38%.
Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Collin Peterson (Incumbent) | 133,096 | 55.2 |
| | Republican | Lee Byberg | 90,652 | 37.6 |
| | Independent | Gene Waldorf | 9,317 | 3.9 |
| | Independence | Glen R. Menze | 7,839 | 3.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 193 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 241,097 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times

## District 8

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

* James L. Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative

##### Eliminated in primary

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

#### Results

Democratic Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | James L. Oberstar (Incumbent) | 56,510 | 80.5 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | W. D. (Bill) Ham | 13,710 | 19.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 70,220 | 100.0 |

### 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 endured Cravaack
* Justin Eichorn, small business owner
* Rob Fransworth, special education teacher
* Darrel Trulson, business owner

#### Results

Republican Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chip Cravaack | 26,608 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,608 | 100.0 |

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

* Timothy Olson, sawmill operator

#### Results

Independence Party Primary Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independence | Timothy Olson | 2,515 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,515 | 100.0 |

### 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.

#### Endorsements

U.S. Representatives
* Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House
Organizations
* Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
Newspapers
* Duluth News Tribune

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jim Oberstar (DFL) | Chip Cravaack (R) | George Burton (C) | Undecided |
| Survey USA | October 25–28, 2010 | 665 (LV) | ±3.9% | 47% | 46% | 3% | 4% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R) | September 28–30, 2010 | 300 (LV) | ±5.7% | 45% | 42% | – | 13% |

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 1, 2010 |
| Rothenberg | Likely D | November 1, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D | November 1, 2010 |
| RCP | Tossup | November 1, 2010 |
| CQ Politics | Likely D | October 28, 2010 |
| New York Times | Safe D | November 1, 2010 |
| FiveThirtyEight | Likely D | November 1, 2010 |

#### Results

Cravaack defeated Oberstar, 48% to 47%.
Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chip Cravaack | 133,490 | 48.2 |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Jim Oberstar (Incumbent) | 129,091 | 46.6 |
| | Independence | Timothy Olson | 11,876 | 4.3 |
| | Constitution | Richard (George) Burton | 2,492 | 0.9 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 132 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 277,081 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) |
External links
* Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
* Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
* Race Profile at The New York Times