2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the eight U.S. Representatives from the state of Minnesota, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on August 9.

2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

November 8, 2016
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Last election 5 3 Seats won 5 3 Seat change Popular vote 1,434,590 1,334,686 Percentage 50.23% 46.73% Swing 0.03% 0.20%

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2016[1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats Before	Seats After	+/–
	Democratic–Farmer–Labor	1,434,559	50.20%	5	5	-
	Republican	1,334,679	46.70%	3	3	-
	Legal Marijuana Now	57,911	2.02%	0	0	-
	Independence	28,870	1.01%	0	0	-
	Others	4,370	0.15%	0	0	-
Totals		2,860,389	100.00%	8	8	—

MN House Elections 2016, by county

District 1

Democrat Tim Walz of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party defeated Republican Jim Hagedorn to retain his seat.

Candidates

• Jim Hagedorn
• Steve Williams

Results

Republican primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Hagedorn	10,851	76.5
	Republican	Steve Williams	3,330	23.5
Total votes			14,181	100.0

Candidates

• Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	13,538	100.0
Total votes			13,538	100.0

Results

Minnesota's 1st congressional district, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	169,074	50.3
	Republican	Jim Hagedorn	166,526	49.6
	n/a	Write-ins	277	0.1
Total votes			335,877	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 2

Republican John Kline has represented Minnesota's second district since 2003, but announced that he would not seek re-election in 2016.[4]

Jason Lewis won the district's Republican primary, defeating opponents Matthew Erickson, John Howe, and Darlene Miller. Democrat Angela Craig, who served as vice president of global human resources for St. Jude Medical, resigned her position in January 2015 to challenge Lewis.[5] Mary Lawrence, a doctor, also ran as a Democrat[6] but dropped out before the primary.

Commentators wrote that the election was "likely to be one of the most-watched congressional races in the country," (MinnPost[7]), "expected to be one of the most competitive in the country", according to Roll Call newspaper,[8] and "seen as a prime target for Democrats to flip" according to The Atlantic.[9]

Area left-wing weekly City Pages described the campaign as resembling the 2016 presidential campaign, calling Lewis "an entrepreneur and media personality, whose blunt rhetoric is refreshingly honest to some, simply offensive to others", and describing Craig as "a tough female leader with moderate positions, ties to big business, and a penchant for pantsuits".[10]

In May 2016, the Rothenberg and Gonzales Political Report changed its rating of the race from "pure tossup" to "tossup/tilt Democratic,"[11] with political analyst Nathan Gonzales writing that Craig "is probably to the left of the district in her ideology, but she has a good story to tell, is raising considerable money (she had $1.3 million in the bank at the end of March) and is solid as a candidate."[11] Other political prognosticators rated the race "Republican Toss-up" (Charlie Cook), and "pure" toss-up (Larry Sabato's "Crystal Ball"), according to MinnPost.[11]

Lewis ended up defeating Craig by several thousand votes in the November.[12]

Candidates

Declared

• John Howe, former state senator, former mayor of Red Wing and candidate for Minnesota Secretary of State in 2014[13]
• Jason Lewis, political commentator, former talk radio host and nominee for CO-02 in 1990[14]
• Darlene Miller, president and CEO of Permac Industries and member of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness[15]
• Matthew Erickson, Minnesota spokesperson for Donald Trump[16]

Withdrawn

• David Benson-Staebler, political consultant, former Democratic congressional aide and real estate agent[17][18]
• David Gerson, engineer and candidate in 2012 and 2014[19][20]
• Pam Myhra, former state representative and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014[21]

Declined

• Tony Albright, state representative[22]
• Ted Daley, former state senator[23][24]
• Steve Drazkowski, state representative[25]
• Pat Garofalo, state representative[26]
• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative[4]
• John Kriesel, former state representative[27]
• Mike McFadden, businessman and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2014[28]
• Mary Pawlenty, former Dakota County District Court Judge and former First Lady of Minnesota[29]
• Roz Peterson, state representative[30]
• Eric Pratt, state senator[31]
• Steve Sviggum, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives[32]
• Dave Thompson, state senator and candidate for governor in 2014[33]

Endorsements

David Gerson

• Madison Project[34]

Results

Republican primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jason Lewis	11,641	48.9
	Republican	Darlene Miller	7,305	30.7
	Republican	John Howe	3,244	13.6
	Republican	Matthew D. Erickson	1,612	6.8
Total votes			23,802	100.0

Candidates

Declared

• Angie Craig, former St. Jude Medical executive[35][36]

Withdrawn

• Roger Kittelson, dairy marketing specialist, nominee for WI-06 in 2008 and candidate for Minnesota House of Representatives in 1982 and 2014[37][38]
• Mary Lawrence, ophthalmologist[39][40][41]

Declined

• Joe Atkins, state representative[42]
• Rick Hansen, state representative[43]
• Mike Obermueller, former state representative and nominee in 2012 and 2014[35]

Endorsements

Angie Craig

Federal politicians

• Jared Polis, U.S. Representative (CO-02)[44]
• Mark Takano, U.S. Representative (CA-41)[44]

State politicians

• Jim Carlson, state senator[45]
• Greg Clausen, state senator[46]
• Ann Counihan, South St. Paul School Board Member[47]
• Scott Dibble, state senator[48]
• Mike Engel, Mayor of Kenyon[47]
• Debbie Goettel, Mayor of Richfield[49]
• Laurie Halverson, state representative[45]
• Matt Klein, ISD 197 School Board Member[47]
• Mike Maguire, Mayor of Eagan[46]
• Sandra Masin, state representative[45]
• Will Morgan, former state representative[47]
• Erin Murphy, state representative[48]
• Mike Obermueller, former state representative and nominee in 2012 and 2014[45]
• Dan Schoen, state representative[50]
• Katie Sieben, state senator[50]

Organizations

• Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund[45]
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82[51]
• Stonewall DFL Caucus[49]
• United Steelworkers[52]
• WomenWinning[53]

Results

Democratic primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Angie Craig	15,155	100.0
Total votes			15,155	100.0

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jason Lewis (R)	Angie Craig (D)	Paula Overby (I)	Undecided
SurveyUSA	October 13–16, 2016	600	± 4.1%	41%	46%	—	12%
WPA Opinion Research (R-NRCC)	October 9–10, 2016	400	± 4.9%	36%	33%	—	26%
Gerstein Bocian Agne Strategies (D-Craig)	August 13–16, 2016	500	± 4.4%	42%	43%	9%	6%
WPA Opinion Research (R-Lewis/NRCC)	August 14–15, 2016	400	± 4.9%	39%	27%	7%	25%

Results

Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jason Lewis	173,970	46.9
	Democratic (DFL)	Angie Craig	167,315	45.2
	Independence	Paula Overby	28,869	7.8
	n/a	Write-ins	360	0.1
Total votes			370,514	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

Republican Erik Paulsen retained his seat, comfortably defeating DFL State Senator Terri Bonoff.

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Erik Paulsen (R)	Terri Bonoff (D)	Undecided
SurveyUSA	October 10–13, 2016	579	± 4.2%	49%	38%	13%
Clarity Campaign Lab (D-HMP)	September 11–13, 2016	353	± 4.34%	45%	42%	13%
DCCC (D)	September 12, 2016	353	± 5.2%	38%	40%	22%
Newton Heath LLC (R-AAN)	August 9–11, 2016	402	± 4.9%	57%	31%	12%
Victoria Research & Consulting (D-Bonoff)	June 27–30, 2016	400	± 4.9%	45%	45%	10%

Results

Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Erik Paulsen (incumbent)	223,077	56.7
	Democratic (DFL)	Terri E. Bonoff	169,243	43.0
	n/a	Write-ins	1,144	0.3
Total votes			393,464	100.0
	Republican hold

District 4

Democrat Betty McCollum retained her seat over Republican challenger Greg Ryan.

Candidates

• Greg Ryan
• Gene Rechtzigel
• Nikolay Nikolayevich Bey

Results

Republican primary results [2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Greg Ryan	5,618	82.0
	Republican	Gene Rechtzigel	845	12.3
	Republican	Nikolay Nikolayevich Bey	390	5.7
Total votes			6,853	100.0

Candidates

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Steve Carlson

Results

Democratic Primary Election [2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (incumbent)	33,336	94.0
	Democratic (DFL)	Steve Carlson	2,128	6.0
Total votes			35,464	100.0

Results

Minnesota's 4th congressional district, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (incumbent)	203,299	57.8
	Republican	Greg Ryan	121,032	34.4
	Legal Marijuana Now	Susan Pendergast Sindt	27,152	7.7
	n/a	Write-ins	461	0.1
Total votes			351,944	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 5

Democrat Keith Ellison retained his seat, comfortably defeating Republican Frank Nelson Drake and a third party challenger.

Democratic primary

• Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Gregg Iverson, perennial candidate
• Lee Bauer

Results

Democratic primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison (incumbent)	40,380	91.7
	Democratic (DFL)	Gregg Iverson	1,887	4.3
	Democratic (DFL)	Lee Bauer	1,757	4.0
Total votes			44,024	100.0

Republican primary

• Frank Nelson Drake

Results

Republican primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Nelson Drake	4,177	100.0
Total votes			4,177	100.0

Results

Minnesota's 5th congressional district, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison (incumbent)	249,964	69.1
	Republican	Frank Nelson Drake	80,660	22.3
	Legal Marijuana Now	Dennis Schuller	30,759	8.5
	n/a	Write-ins	499	0.1
Total votes			361,875	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 6

First term incumbent Republican Tom Emmer defeated DFL candidate David Snyder.

Candidates

• Tom Emmer, incumbent U.S. Representative
• A.J. Kern
• Patrick Munro

Results

Republican primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Emmer (incumbent)	13,590	68.7
	Republican	A. J. Kern	5,219	26.4
	Republican	Patrick Munro	962	4.9
Total votes			19,771	100.0

Candidates

• David Snyder
• Judy Evelyn Adams
• Bob Helland

Results

Democratic primary results [2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	David Snyder	4,402	46.0
	Democratic (DFL)	Judy Evelyn Adams	3,569	37.3
	Democratic (DFL)	Bob Helland	1,595	16.7
Total votes			9,566	100.0

Results

Minnesota's 6th congressional district election, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Emmer (incumbent)	235,380	65.6
	Democratic (DFL)	David Snyder	123,008	34.3
	Write-in		536	0.1
Total votes			358,924	100.0
	Republican hold

District 7

Democrat Collin Peterson retained his seat, defeating Republican challenger Dave Hughes.

Republican primary

• Dave Hughes
• Amanda Lynn Hinson

Results

Republican primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dave Hughes	8,769	59.0
	Republican	Amanda Lynn Hinson	6,104	41.0
Total votes			14,873	100.0

Democratic primary

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin Peterson (incumbent)	16,253	100.0
Total votes			16,253	100.0

Results

Minnesota's 7th congressional district, 2016 [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin Peterson (incumbent)	173,589	52.5
	Republican	Dave Hughes	156,952	47.4
	n/a	Write-ins	307	0.1
Total votes			330,848	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 8

Democrat Rick Nolan retained his seat, defeating Republican Stewart Mills III in the 2016 election. It was Nolan's second victory over Mills, who unsuccessfully challenged Nolan in the 2014 election.

Though Nolan's margin of victory in 2016 (2,009 votes) was too large to trigger a publicly funded automatic recount, Mills, as of late November 2016, has said that he plans to request and pay for a hand recount of all votes cast in the eighth district, as is his right under law. Mills plans to cover the cost of the recount—just over $100,000— himself. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota has not seen a recount in a race for the House of Representatives since the year 2000, when election day totals in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district fell within the half percentage point threshold, thus triggering a state funded recount. It is not known if Mills's request for a privately funded recount has precedent in Minnesota's electoral history, at least as it pertains to elections for the House of Representatives.[54]

Endorsements

Stewart Mills

• National Federation of Independent Business[55]
• Minnesota Farm Bureau[56]
• St. Paul Pioneer Press[57]
• ECM Newspapers[58]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Rick Nolan (D)	Stewart Mills (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA	October 16–19, 2016	595	± 4.1%	41%	45%	14%

Results

Minnesota's 8th congressional district, 2016[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Rick Nolan (incumbent)	179,098	50.2
	Republican	Stewart Mills	177,089	49.6
	n/a	Write-ins	792	0.2
Total votes			356,979	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

References

1. http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ENR/home/100/
2. "August 9, 2016 Primary Election Unofficial Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. August 9, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
3. "November 8, 2016 General Election Unofficial Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
4. "Rep. John Kline says he won't seek re-election in 2nd District - StarTribune.com". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
5. "St. Jude Medical exec to run for Congress". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
6. "Another Democrat files for 2nd Congressional District". TwinCities.com. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
7. Brodey, Sam (August 10, 2016). "It's Jason Lewis vs. Angie Craig in what's likely to be one of the most-watched congressional races in the country". Minn Post. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
8. Pathé, Simone (August 9, 2016). "Controversial Former Talk Radio Host Wins GOP Primary in Minnesota Battleground". Roll Call. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
9. COTTLE, MICHELLE (August 12, 2016). "Meet Minnesota's Mini-Trump". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
10. Whitely, Maxine (June 2, 2016). "Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District race looks an awful lot like the presidential fight". City Pages. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
11. Black, Eric (May 19, 2016). "Rothenberg Report gives edge to DFLer Angie Craig for Kline seat". Retrieved August 23, 2016.
12. election.http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USRepresentative/100?officeinelectionid=10735&districtid=557
13. Montgomery, David H. (September 22, 2015). "Howe runs for Second District as 'conservative' but 'electable'". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
14. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (October 12, 2015). ""Mr. Right" Jason Lewis is running for the Second District". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
15. Montgomery, David H. (January 6, 2016). "Darlene Miller enters GOP race for Second District seat". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
16. Johnson, Tad (June 10, 2016). "Fourth candidate enters 2nd District race". Sun This Week. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
17. Brucato, Cyndy (December 2, 2015). "The odd congressional candidacy of David Benson-Staebler". MinnPost. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
18. Montgomery, David (February 25, 2016). "David Benson-Staebler drops out of Second District race". Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
19. Alex Isenstadt (January 31, 2015). "They're back! The new tea party surge". Politico. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
20. Coolican, J. Patrick (September 4, 2015). "David Gerson jumps on Rep. John Kline announcement that he's not running". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
21. Montgomery, David H. (October 7, 2015). "Former lawmaker, LG candidate Pam Myhra enters Second District race". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
22. "Albright to seek re-election in House, opts against Congress bid". Prior Lake American. October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
23. Pathé, Simone; Cahn, Emily (September 3, 2015). "Minnesota's John Kline Will Not Seek Eighth Term (Updated)". Roll Call. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
24. Hart, Cassie (October 16, 2015). "Former State Sen. Daley Announces he Won't Run for Congress". KSTP-TV. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
25. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (September 21, 2015). "State Rep. Drazkowski will not run for Congress". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
26. Salisbury, Bill (September 3, 2015). "Names being circulated as John Kline replacements". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
27. Brodkorb, Michael (September 3, 2015). ".@johnkriesel says no to run for Congress in 2nd CD -> "Hahahaha." Follow-up: "Life is perfect right now. No need for me to mess that up."". Twitter. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
28. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (September 14, 2015). "McFadden declines to run for Minnesota's Second Congressional District seat". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
29. Montgomery, David H. (September 15, 2015). "Mary Pawlenty won't run for Second District seat". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
30. Brodkorb, Michael (September 11, 2015). "Roz Peterson, Dave Thompson will not run for Congress". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
31. Montgomery, David (September 15, 2015). "Second District: Pawlenty, Pratt reject race for Congress". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
32. "Sviggum Takes A Pass On Congressional Run". Post-Bulletin. September 11, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
33. Montgomery, David H. (September 11, 2015). "State Sen. Dave Thompson says no to Second District run". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
34. "The Madison Project Endorses David Gerson For Congress In MN-2". Madison Project. September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
35. Belden, Doug (January 26, 2015). "DFLer and conservative say they'll go after Kline's seat in 2016". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
36. Scheck, Tom (April 6, 2015). "Craig kicks off campaign to challenge Kline". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
37. Pugmire, Tim (November 17, 2015). "Kittelson joins DFL field in Minnesota's 2nd District". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
38. McIntee, Michael (January 5, 2016). "Craig's Remaining DFL Opponent Ends Campaign". The UpTake. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
39. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (March 24, 2015). "Another Democrat files for 2nd Congressional District". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
40. Neely, Brett (April 9, 2015). "Ophthalmologist announces bid to unseat Kline". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
41. Montgomery, David H. (January 5, 2016). "Mary Lawrence drops out of Second District race". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
42. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (October 1, 2015). "Atkins, like many before him, passes on a Second District Congressional run". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
43. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (September 20, 2015). "DFL state Rep. Rick Hansen opts against a Second District run". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
44. "Angie Craig Announces First Endorsement From Members Of Congress". Angie Craig for Congress. June 29, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
45. "Angie Craig Announces Victory Fund, DFL Officers' Endorsements". Angie Craig for Congress. April 28, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
46. "Angie Craig Announces New Round Of Endorsements". Angie Craig for Congress. June 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
47. "Angie Craig Announces New Endorsements From Local Elected Officials". Angie Craig for Congress. August 17, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
48. "Angie Craig Announces Endorsements From Minnesota Legislators". Angie Craig for Congress. May 11, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
49. "Angie Craig Announces Endorsements From Stonewall Caucus, Local Officials". Angie Craig for Congress. June 3, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
50. "Sen. Katie Sieben, Rep. Dan Schoen Endorse Angie Craig For Congress". Angie Craig for Congress. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
51. "Angie Craig Announces Endorsement Of IUPAT District Council 82". Angie Craig for Congress. September 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
52. "United Steelworkers Endorse Angie Craig For Congress". Angie Craig for Congress. September 3, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
53. Scheck, Tom (September 24, 2015). "WomenWinning backs Angie Craig for Congress". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
54. Condon, Patrick (November 28, 2016). "GOP's Mills to seek recount after narrowly losing northeastern Minnesota congressional race". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
55. "MILLS LANDS SMALL BUSINESS ENDORSEMENT". Mesabi Daily News. August 5, 2016.
56. "Minnesota Farm Bureau endorses Mills". ifallsjournal.com. September 24, 2016.
57. "Editorial: First day of Tribune endorsements for U.S. House seats in Illinois". Chicago Tribune. October 7, 2016.
58. "ECM Editorial: On the issues, Mills shines in the 8th". Princeton Union-Eagle. October 14, 2016.

External links

• U.S. House elections in Minnesota, 2016 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org