Tim Pawlenty Holds on for Second Term

Tim Pawlenty, the incumbent republican, was able to just barely hold onto his seat for Minnesota’s gubernatorial race. He faced a tough opposition from democrat Mike Hatch. It may have been Judi Dutcher’s (Hatch’s runningmate) gaffe on E-85, it may have been Hatch’s response to a reporter, or voters may have just liked Pawlenty better. Either way, it ended up being an extremely close race, with Pawlenty only winning by 1%.

Klobuchar Wins Minnesota Senate Seat

Amy Klobuchar took an easy win for the open Minnesota senate seat, beating out Republican Mark Kennedy and others by over 20%. The democrats kept this seat and nationwide took control of the senate. (and the house.)

Oberstar Wins 17th Term For The Eighth District

Democrat Jim Oberstar won for the seventeenth time up in Minnesota’s eighth district. This is another race that doesn’t come as much of a surprise to us. After 34 years, you build up quite a bit of name recognition. Not to mention, Jim Oberstar is a very good candidate.

Collin Peterson Keeps His Seat In The Seventh District

Democrat Collin Peterson easily kept his seat in Minnesota’s seventh district with almost 70% of the vote. He was up against Republican Michael Barrett and Constitution party candidate Ken Lucier. Peterson is most likely now going to head up the house agricultural committee.

Bachman Wins For Minnesota’s Competive Sixth District

The republican Bachman was able to keep the sixth district republican by beating out Democrat Patty Wetterling and Independence party candidate John Binkowski in a race that has gotten its fair share of national attention. Wetterling who took a lead a month or so ago after the Foley scandal, apparently wasn’t able to hold onto that lead in this republican district.

Ellison Becomes First Muslim Member of Congress In Minnesota’s Fifth

Keith Ellison won the race for Minnesota’s fifth district on election day, become the first Muslim in congress. The democrat Keith Ellison beat out republican Alan Fine, Green Party candidate Jay Pond, and Independent Tammy Lee.

McCollum Keeps Her Seat With Almost 100,000 More Votes

Democrat Betty McCollum easily kept her seat as the congresswoman for Minnesota’s fourth district, with over almost 100,000 more votes than her opponent, Obi Sium. This is another race that comes as no surprise seeing as the fourth is located in the very democratic heart of the twin cities.

Jim Ramstad Keeps His Seat For The Third District

Here’s another republican who survived election day, and once again not really a surprise. Wendy Wilde did put up a fairly creative campaign, (For example, check out her site: http://www.electmom.com/) but in the end the republican Ramstad did better in the southern twin cities suburbs. So, now this the second of the only three remaining republican house seats in Minnesota.

Kline Keeps His Seat for the Second District

Well, incumbent republican John Kline was able to survive the republican slaughtering that occurred on election day, but he sure won’t be in the majority anymore. Although this race wasn’t too much of a surprise, it would have been nice to see a candidate like Coleen Rowley have done a little better.

Tim Walz Wins District One Race!

Well, it looks like Tim Walz was able to make Gil Gutknecht keep his term limit promise. Gutknecht ended up only in office for six terms like he promised, but not by his choice. By the voter’s choice. Tim Walz has proven himself to have been an extremely strong candidate who, like many other democrats received a little help from the wave of anti-republican sentiment that was on the voters minds. If we had made an endorsement in this race, it would have gone to Walz, so congratulations!