2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the eight U.S. Representatives from the state of Minnesota. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 14, 2012.[1]

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota
November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06)
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Last election 4 4
Seats won 5 3
Seat change 1 1
Popular vote 1,560,984 1,210,409
Percentage 55.48% 43.02%
Swing 7.55% 3.41%
Popular vote by congressional district. As this is a first-past-the-post election, seat totals are not determined by total popular vote in the state, but instead by results in each congressional district.
Elections in Minnesota
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Overview
United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2012[2]
Party Votes Percentage Seats Before Seats After +/–
Democratic-Farmer-Labor 1,560,984 55.48% 4 5 +1
Republican 1,210,409 43.02% 4 3 -1
Independence 36,433 1.29% 0 0 0
Others 5,557 0.20% 0 0 0
Totals 2,813,383 100.00% 8 8 —

Redistricting

A redistricting plan was proposed by Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature on May 9, 2011.[3] The plan was passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives on May 13[4] and the Minnesota Senate on May 18,[5] but was vetoed by Democratic Governor Mark Dayton on May 19.[6]

In February 2012, a state court panel redrew Minnesota's congressional boundaries with the effect of enacting a "least-change" map.[7]

District 1

Democrat Tim Walz, who has represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district since 2007, sought re-election. In redistricting, Murray County, Pipestone County and half of Cottonwood County were moved from the 1st district to the 7th and Wabasha County was moved from the 1st district to the 2nd; while Le Sueur County and most of Rice County were moved from the 2nd district to the 1st. The 1st district was expected to continue to slightly favor Republicans.[7]

State senator Mike Parry[8] lost the GOP nomination to state representative Allen Quist.[9] State senator Julie Rosen did not seek the Republican nomination.[10] Former state representative Randy Demmer, who unsuccessfully challenged Walz as the Republican nominee in 2010,[11] and state representative Steve Drazkowski[12] did not run.

Walz handily dispatched Quist in the election, garnering 58% of the vote.[13]

Candidates
  • Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2007

Results
Democratic primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz (incumbent) 15,697 100.0
Total votes 15,697 100.0

Candidates
  • Mike Parry, State Senator from senate district 26 since 2010
  • Allen Quist, former State Representative from legislative district 23B (1983-1989)

Results
Republican primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Allen Quist 12,540 54.1
Republican Mike Parry 10,622 45.9
Total votes 23,162 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 1st congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Tim Walz (incumbent) 193,211 57.5
Republican Allen Quist 142,164 42.3
n/a Write-ins 505 0.2
Total votes 335,880 100.00
Democratic (DFL) hold

District 2

Republican John Kline, who has represented Minnesota's 2nd congressional district since 2003, sought re-election.

Patrick Ganey, a member of the Northfield City Council;[16] Kathleen Gaylord, a member of the Dakota County Commission;[17] former state Representative Mike Obermueller;[18] and Dan Powers, a former small business owner who unsuccessfully sought the DFL nomination in the 2nd district in 2010,[19] sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination to challenge Kline. At the congressional district convention, the party endorsed Mike Obermueller.

In redistricting, Le Sueur County and Rice County were moved from the 2nd district to the 1st and Carver County was moved from the 2nd district to the 3rd and 6th; while West St. Paul and parts of South St. Paul were moved from the 4th district to the 2nd. The 2nd district was made slightly more favorable to Democrats, but continues to favor Republicans.[7] Despite a strong challenge from Obermueller, Kline prevailed.[20]

Candidates
  • Mike Obermueller, former State Representative from legislative district 38B (2009-2011)

Results
Democratic primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Mike Obermueller 11,628 100.0
Total votes 11,628 100.0

Candidates
  • David Gerson
  • John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2003

Results
Republican Primary Election [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Kline (incumbent) 15,859 85.1
Republican David Gerson 2,772 14.9
Total votes 18,631 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Kline (incumbent) 193,587 54.0
Democratic (DFL) Mike Obermueller 164,338 45.9
n/a Write-ins 521 0.1
Total votes 358,446 100.0
Republican hold

District 3

Republican Erik Paulsen, who has represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district since 2009 sought re-election.

Brian Barnes, an Edina businessman and former Navy Reserve officer[21] and Sharon Sund, a Plymouth scientist and small-business owner[22] sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination to challenge Paulsen. In the third district Democratic convention, Barnes won the party endorsement and Sund backed his candidacy.[23] Sund was subsequently elected Chair of the Hennepin County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.[24]

In redistricting, the 3rd district was expanded to include eastern Carver County, while part of the northeastern Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area was moved to the 5th. The district was made more favorable to Republicans.

Paulsen received 58% of the vote, defeating Barnes who received 42%.[25][26]

Candidates
  • Brian Barnes, businessman

Results
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Brian Barnes 11,786 100.0
Total votes 11,786 100.0

Candidates
  • John W. Howard III
  • Erik Paulsen, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2009

Results
Republican Primary Election [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Erik Paulsen (incumbent) 18,672 90.2
Republican John W. Howard III 2,032 9.8
Total votes 20,704 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Erik Paulsen (incumbent) 222,335 58.1
Democratic (DFL) Brian Barnes 159,937 41.8
n/a Write-ins 433 0.1
Total votes 382,705 100.0
Republican hold

District 4

Democrat Betty McCollum, who has represented Minnesota's 4th congressional district since 2001, sought re-election. In redistricting, the 4th district was made slightly more favorable to Republicans, but continues to strongly favor Democrats.[7]

Dan Flood, a retired Navy officer, and Tony Hernandez, a businessman who had been running for the U.S. Senate, sought the Republican nomination to challenge McCollum.[27] Hernandez won the Republican primary[28] and will face McCollum on the November ballot. The home of Republican U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, who has represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2007, was drawn into the 4th district in redistricting; however Bachmann sought re-election in the 6th district.[7]

McCollum retained her seat, defeating Hernandez.[25]

Candidates

Results
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Betty McCollum (incumbent) 27,291 84.2
Democratic (DFL) Diana Longrie 3,212 9.9
Democratic (DFL) Brian Stalboerger 1,913 5.9
Total votes 32,416 100.0

Candidates
  • Tony Hernandez
  • Ron Seiford

Results
Republican primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tony Hernandez 6,876 64.1
Republican Ron Seiford 3,856 35.9
Total votes 10,732 100.0

Candidates
  • Steve Carlson

Results
Independence primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independence Steve Carlson 545 100.0
Total votes 545 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 4th congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Betty McCollum (incumbent) 216,685 62.3
Republican Tony Hernandez 109,659 31.5
Independence Steve Carlson 21,135 6.1
n/a Write-ins 512 0.1
Total votes 347,991 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

District 5

Minnesota's 5th congressional district has been represented by Democrat Keith Ellison since 2007. Gary Boisclair, an anti-abortion activist, and Gregg Iverson unsuccessfully challenged Ellison in the Democratic primary.[29] In redistricting, the 5th district was expanded to include parts of Brooklyn Center, Edina and Minnetonka, and continues to strongly favor Democrats.[7]

Chris Fields, a retired U.S. Marine,[30] ran unopposed in the district's Republican primary and faced Ellison on the ballot in November.[31]

Ellison easily defeated Fields, carrying about 75% of the vote.[32]

Candidates
  • Gary Boisclair, anti-abortion activist
  • Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2007
  • Gregg A. Iverson

Results
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Keith Ellison (incumbent) 30,609 89.6
Democratic (DFL) Gregg A. Iverson 2,143 6.3
Democratic (DFL) Gary Boisclair 1,397 4.1
Total votes 34,149 100.0

Candidates
  • Chris Fields, retired U.S. Marine

Results
Republican primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chris Fields 5,966 100.0
Total votes 5,966 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 5th congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Keith Ellison (incumbent) 262,102 74.5
Republican Chris Fields 88,753 25.2
n/a Write-ins 1,114 0.3
Total votes 351,969 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

District 6

Michele Bachmann, who has represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2012,[33] sought re-election.[34] Ron Seiford, an adjunct business instructor at Woodbury's Globe College, and Aubrey Immelman unsuccessfully challenged her in the Republican nomination, though Bachmann won by the lowest margin of any incumbent Republican congressional candidate in 50 years.[28][35][36]

Jim Graves, a hotel executive,[37] won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination at the party's convention in April 2012.[23] He defeated Brian McGoldrick, a businessman;[38] Anne Nolan, an attorney and business consultant,[39] and Mike Starr, a substitute schoolteacher.[40]

In redistricting, the 6th district was expanded to include Carver County and was made more favorable to Republicans.[7] Despite this, Bachmann narrowly retained the seat, receiving 4298 more votes than Graves.[41]

Candidates

Results
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Jim Graves 8,600 100.0
Total votes 8,600 100.0

Candidates
  • Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2007
  • Aubrey Immelman
  • Stephen Thompson

Results
Republican primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michele Bachmann (incumbent) 14,569 80.3
Republican Stephen Thompson 2,322 12.8
Republican Aubrey Immelman 1,242 6.9
Total votes 18,133 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 6th congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michele Bachmann (incumbent) 179,240 50.5
Democratic (DFL) Jim Graves 174,944 49.3
n/a Write-ins 969 0.2
Total votes 355,153 100.0
Republican hold

District 7

Democrat Collin Peterson, who has represented Minnesota's 7th congressional district since 1991, sought re-election.[42] In redistricting, the 7th district was expanded to include rural counties in southern Minnesota, while cities were moved from the 6th and 8th districts into the 7th.[7]

Lee Byberg, a business executive who unsuccessfully challenged Peterson as the Republican nominee in 2010;[43] and state senator Gretchen Hoffman,[44] sought the Republican nomination to challenge Peterson.

Byberg again received the Republican Party's nomination and was defeated by Peterson.[25] No primary elections were held in the 7th district in 2012.[14]

Results
Minnesota's 7th congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Collin C. Peterson (incumbent) 197,791 60.4
Republican Lee Byberg 114,151 34.8
Independence Adam Steele 15,298 4.7
n/a Write-ins 336 0.1
Total votes 327,576 100.0
Democratic (DFL) hold

District 8

Republican Chip Cravaack, who was first elected to represent Minnesota's 8th congressional district in 2010, sought re-election.

Former U.S. Representative Rick Nolan[45] won the DFL primary on August 14,[28] defeating Jeff Anderson, a member of the Duluth City Council,[46] and Tarryl Clark, a member of the Minnesota Senate who unsuccessfully ran against Michele Bachmann in the 6th district in 2010.[47] Daniel Fanning, the former deputy state director for Senator Al Franken, had decided to run,[48] but ended his campaign in January 2012.[49] State senate minority leader Tom Bakk,[50][51] Duluth mayor Don Ness,[50] state senator Roger Reinert,[50] state representative Tom Rukavina,[50] former state house majority leader Tony Sertich,[50] and lieutenant governor Yvonne Prettner Solon,[52] all of whom are Democrats, did not run. State representative Carly Melin had said she was "keeping an open mind" regarding the possibility of seeking the Democratic nomination;[53] however, she later endorsed Anderson's campaign.[54]

Nolan was earlier victorious in a February 2012 caucus, receiving 1,537 votes to Anderson's 1,008 and Clark's 408. 269 uncommitted votes were cast. Delegates to a convention held in May 2012 could endorse one candidate, but candidates who did not receive the party's endorsement were nonetheless able to run in the August 2012 primary.[55] Nolan won the DFL primary in August, with 38.3% of the vote, against Clark's 32.3% and Anderson's 29.5%[28]

In redistricting, the 8th district was not significantly changed and remained competitive.[7] Nolan triumphed over Cravaack, receiving about 55% of the vote.[56]

Candidates

Results
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Richard Nolan 20,840 38.3
Democratic (DFL) Tarryl L. Clark 17,554 32.2
Democratic (DFL) Jeff Anderson 16,035 29.5
Total votes 54,429 100.0

Candidates

Results
Republican primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chip Cravaack (incumbent) 20,471 100.0
Total votes 20,471 100.0

Results
Minnesota's 8th congressional district, 2012 [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Rick Nolan 191,976 54.3
Republican Chip Cravaack (incumbent) 160,520 45.4
n/a Write-ins 1,167 0.3
Total votes 353,663 100.0
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

References
  1. "Important Election Dates". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  2. "MN Election Results". Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  3. Turck, Mary (May 9, 2011). "Congressional redistricting plan introduced by MN Republicans". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  4. Pugmire, Tim (May 13, 2011). "House OKs redesign for Minn. congressional lines". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  5. "Minnesota Senate Sends Redistricting Bills To Dayton". AM 1240 WJON. May 18, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  6. "Dayton vetoes GOP's redistricting plan". Crookston Daily Times. May 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  7. Henry, Devin (February 22, 2012). "District-by-district look at Minnesota's new congressional map". MinnPost.com. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  8. Fischenich, Mark (October 8, 2011). "Parry to challenge Walz for Congress". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  9. Juhl, Mary (December 2, 2011). "Republican Quist to challenge Rep. Tim Walz for 1st District seat". Winona Daily News. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  10. Juhl, Mary (September 20, 2011). "Drazkowski hasn't ruled out run for Congress". Winona Daily News. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  11. Juhl, Mary (October 15, 2011). "Demmer won't run against Walz". Winona Daily News. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  12. "Drazkowski won't run for Congress". Winona Daily News. November 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  13. Fischenich, Mark (November 7, 2012). "Walz defeats Quist: West teacher returns to Congress". Mankato Free Press.
  14. https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/sessions/electionresults/2012-08-14-p-man.pdf
  15. "MN Election Results". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  16. Salisbury, Bill (March 24, 2012). "Northfield council member hopes to take on John Kline in 2nd District". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  17. Williams, Derrick; Butler, Jr., Corey (April 5, 2012). "Dakota County Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord to Run for Second Congressional District". Northfield, MN Patch. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  18. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (April 3, 2012). "DFL has set its sights on Rep. John Kline's seat". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  19. Birkey, Andy (May 31, 2011). "Dan Powers to challenge Kline in 2012". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  20. Diaz, Kevin (November 7, 2012). "Obermueller a surprising challenge to Kline in Second District". Star Tribune.
  21. Scheck, Tom (October 10, 2011). "Barnes to challenge Paulsen". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  22. Birkey, Andy (August 4, 2011). "Sharon Sund to challenge Erik Paulsen". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  23. Shaw, Charley (2012-04-15). "Barnes, Graves win DFL endorsements for Congress". Politics in Minnesota. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  24. Kimball, Joe. "DFLers host Jill Biden at Minneapolis fundraising event". MinnPost. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  25. Mitchell, Corey (November 7, 2012). "6 of state's U.S. House incumbents sure to keep seats". Star Tribune.
  26. Erik Paulsen wins re-election in 3rd Congressional District (2012-11-06). "Erik Paulsen wins re-election in 3rd Congressional District". ABC Newspapers. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  27. "2 Klobuchar Challengers Leave GOP Contest". CBS Minnesota. Associated Press. February 27, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  28. "MN Election Results". Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  29. Birkey, Andy (October 24, 2011). "Anti-abortion activist campaigns against Ellison to exploit legal loophole". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  30. Nelson, Tim (September 7, 2011). "GOP challenger ready for Ellison". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  31. "MN Election Results". Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  32. Lee, Jessica (November 7, 2012). "Ellison grabs 4th term". Minnesota Daily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  33. "Michele Bachmann, U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 6th Congressional District". GovTrack.us. 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  34. Diaz, Kevin (January 25, 2012). "Bachmann to defend her seat in Congress". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  35. "Could Bachmann lose?". Salon.com. 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  36. Longaecker, Mike (February 20, 2012). "St. Paul Park native wants to challenge Bachmann in GOP primary". South Washington County Bulletin. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  37. Wilson, Conrad (April 10, 2012). "Hotel owner Graves announces run for Congress". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  38. Brooks, Jennifer (March 22, 2012). "Second DFL candidate enters race against Bachmann". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  39. Rupar, Aaron (March 9, 2012). "Anne Nolan, attorney and MBA, first DFLer to announce run against Michele Bachmann". City Pages. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  40. Sommerhauser, Mark (October 22, 2011). "6th District: Teacher considers run for Congress on DFL ticket". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  41. Diaz, Kevin (November 8, 2012). "Close call for Bachmann". Star Tribune.
  42. Wilson, Reid (November 16, 2011). "The Retirement Season". National Journal. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  43. Sosa, Jorge (March 25, 2011). "Byberg throws hat in ring for 2012". Hutchinson Leader. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  44. Scheck, Tom (February 24, 2012). "Hoffman announces run for Congress in 7th District". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  45. Collins, Jon (July 13, 2011). "Former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan enters 8th District race". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  46. Schneider, Zach (May 25, 2011). "City Councillor Jeff Anderson Announces Congressional Campaign". msnbc.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  47. Wallbank, Derek (May 8, 2011). "Tarryl Clark says she'll run for Congress again, this time against Chip Cravaack". MinnPost.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  48. Passi, Peter (October 4, 2011). "Fanning running for 8th District seat". Duluth News Tribune. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  49. Kimball, Joe (January 5, 2012). "Fanning drops out of 8th District race, but many Cravaack challengers remain". MinnPost.com. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  50. LaFave, Nick (February 24, 2011). "FOX 21 EXCLUSIVE: Reinert Not Running for Congress". Fox 21 News. Archived from the original on February 28, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  51. Davis, Don (August 29, 2011). "Capitol Chatter: Bakk rejects requests for congressional run". Echo Press. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  52. Neely, Brett (April 5, 2011). "EMILY's List targets Cravaack". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  53. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (September 1, 2011). "Melin: "Open mind" on congressional run". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  54. Collins, Jon (September 21, 2011). "Melin and Reinert endorse Jeff Anderson to take on Cravaack in 8th Congressional District". The Minnesota Independent. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  55. Myers, John (February 8, 2012). "Congressional candidate Rick Nolan wins big in Minnesota caucus poll". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  56. "Nolan wins; Bachmann survives toughest race". The Journal. November 8, 2012.
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