The 2008 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 4, 2008. All 8 congressional seats that make up the state's delegation were contested. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th United States Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011.
This district extends across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border of Wisconsin. DFLer Tim Walz defeated 6-term veteran Republican Gil Gutknecht in 2006 in somewhat of a surprise victory. Walz had no opponent in the race for the DFL nomination for the seat in the September 12, 2006 primary election. He beat incumbent RepublicanGil Gutknecht in the general election by a margin of 53% to 47%. The popular Walz is a former teacher and Command Sergeant Major in the National Guard.[2] The district is rated as an R+1 on the CPVI scale.[3] Incumbent Tim Walz was opposed by Brian Davis, a Mayo Clinic physician, who was endorsed by the CD1 Republican Party and Independence Party of Minnesota candidate, Greg Mikkelson. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Leans Democratic'. Walz won the 2008 race, garnering 62.5% of the vote.[4]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2007
This district spans the width of the entire southern metro area and contains all of Carver, Scott, Le Sueur, Goodhue and Rice Counties and most of Dakota County. Republican John Kline held on to the second district seat in 2006, defeating DFL challenger, former FBI agent, Coleen Rowley. The district leans Republican with a CPVI of R+3,[3] and Kline's unwavering support for Bush and the Iraq War did not make him too vulnerable to a challenger in 2008.[7] On October 4, 2007, Iraq War veteran Steve Sarvi announced he would challenge Kline for the seat. His experience also includes being mayor of Watertown, Minnesota and city administrator for Victoria, Minnesota. He believed that a change in U.S. policy in Iraq was needed.[8] On May 3, Sarvi was endorsed by the 2nd District DFL party.[9] Sarvi was also endorsed by the Independence Party of Minnesota. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Republican Favored'. Kline won the 2008 race, garnering 57.3% of the vote.[4]
General election
Results
Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2008 [6]
This district covers most of Ramsey County including all of Saint Paul and several Saint Paul suburbs. It is held by the solidly progressive 4-term DFLer, Betty McCollum. The district is rated a secure D+13 on the CPVI scale,[3] posing a formidable barrier to any potential Republican challengers. Ed Matthews, an attorney, was the Republican candidate. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'. McCollum won the 2008 race, garnering 68.4% of the vote.[4]
General election
Results
Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2008 [6]
This district covers eastern Hennepin County, including the entire city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, along with parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. With the 2007 retirement of Martin Sabo, the opportunity presented itself for Keith Ellison to compete for Sabo's seat against several aspirants. He is the first African American U.S. Representative from Minnesota and the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress. Like McCollum, Ellison is also a solidly progressive legislator, which is in keeping with the district, rating D+21 on the CPVI scale.[3] He was challenged by Republican Barb Davis White, a minister, author, and civil rights activist.[13] The Independence Party of Minnesota candidate was Bill McGaughey. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2007
Bachmann's charges about "anti-American views" shifted the political dynamics of this campaign, giving a lift to Tinklenberg's candidacy and attracting $1.3 million in new contributions, plus $1 million from the DNC. At the same time the RNC withdrew media buys on behalf of Bachmann.[17] CQ Politics changed its forecast from 'Republican Favored' to 'Leans Republican' on October 20, and then to 'No Clear Favorite' on October 28. The Cook Political Report then rated it as 'Republican Toss Up'.[18] Despite the controversy, Bachmann won the 2008 race, garnering 46.4% of the vote to Tinklenberg's 43.4% and Anderson's 10%.[4]
Democratic primary
Candidates
El Tinklenberg, former Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation (1999-2002)
This district covers almost all of the western side of Minnesota from the Canada–US border down to Lincoln County and is the largest district in the state. As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, 9-term DFLer Collin Peterson is at home in his mostly-agricultural district. Although the district leaned Republican with a CPVI of R+6,[3] Peterson's social conservatism and farmer/labor DFL values served him well in his district. He won with 70% of the vote in 2006. Republican Glen Menze challenged Peterson. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.
This district covers the northeastern part of Minnesota and includes Duluth, Hibbing, and the Mesabi Range. Seventeen-term veteran DFLer, Jim Oberstar was Minnesota's senior representative. In 2006, former Republican U.S. SenatorRod Grams challenged Oberstar, garnering 34% of the vote. In 2008, 74-year-old Oberstar maintained his popularity among his constituency. The district leaned Democratic with a CPVI of D+4[3] owing to the loyalty of miners, loggers, and farmers to the DFL. Republican, Michael Cummins ran against Oberstar. On May 3, 2008, the 8th District DFL endorsed Oberstar for another term. CQ Politics forecast the race as 'Safe Democratic'.
General election
Results
Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2008 [6]
^Anderson, Jr., G.R. (October 4, 2006). "The Chosen One". City Pages. Vol. 27, no. 1348. City Pages (Minneapolis). Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
