Minnesota's 1st congressional district extends across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin. The first district is primarily a rural district built on a strong history of agriculture, although this is changing rapidly due to strong population growth in Rochester and surrounding communities. The first district is also home to several of Minnesota's major mid-sized cities, including Rochester, Mankato, Winona, Austin, Owatonna, Albert Lea, New Ulm, and Worthington. This district is currently represented by Republican Jim Hagedorn of Blue Earth.
From early statehood until the latest redistricting after the 2000 census, the first district covered only southeast Minnesota. During the 20th century it was generally considered solidly Republican, though it became more of a swing district in the late 20th to early 21st century. In 2004, John Kerry received 48% of the vote in this Congressional district. Two years later, in 2006, Republican Representative Gil Gutknecht was defeated by Democrat Tim Walz. In March 2017, Walz announced that he would not run for reelection to Congress, and instead would run for governor of Minnesota. On paper, the district leans Republican with a CPVI of R+5, but recent elections have been among the closest in the nation, being won by less than a single percentage point in both 2016 and 2018.[6]
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