Population: 5,489,594 (2015)
Filing deadline: May 31, 2016.
Primary: August 9, 2016.
MORE ELECTION NEWS ABOUT MINNESOTA
Minnesota (D+2) is a moderate state that leans left in Federal elections. The Democratic Party here is formally known as DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor). Minnesota has many Northern Europeans, especially Scandinavians. It is 86% White.
FEDERAL LEVEL
Electors: 10. Minnesota is a safe state for the Dems in Presidential elections.
Senators: 2 Democrats.
Amy Klobuchar. (Pic: Congress)
Senator class 1: Amy Klobuchar (D)
Committees: Agriculture, Commerce, Judiciary, Rules.
Democratic nominee: Amy Klobuchar
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe Dem in 2018.
Status, May 24, 2016:
Lawyer and District Attorney Amy Klobuchar (b.1960) was first elected in 2006 and took 65% in 2012.
Al Franken. (Pic: Congress)
Senator class 2: Al Franken (D)
Committees: Energy, Health & Education, Judiciary, Indian Affairs.
Democratic nominee: Al Franken
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe Dem in 2020.
Status, May 24, 2016:
Controversial comedian and author Al Franken (b.1951) defeated the incumbent Republican in 2008 with a razor thin margin. He took 53% in 2014.
Representatives: 8 Representatives; 5 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Many of the nominations are settled at district conventions.
Tim Walz. (Pic: Congress)
District 1
Representative: Tim Walz (D)
Committees: Agriculture, Armed Forces, Veterans.
Democratic nominee: Tim Walz
Republican nominee: Jim Hagedorn
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe Dem in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (R+1) covers the southern part of the state, from Wisconsin to South Dakota. It is 91% White. Teacher and veteran Tim Walz (b.1964) was first elected in 2006, when he defeated an incumbent Republican. He took 54% in 2014 against businessman Jim Hagedorn, who is running again.
John Kline. (Pic: Congress)
District 2
Representative: John Kline (R)
Committees: Education, Armed Forces.
Democratic nominee: Angie Craig
Republican nominee: Jason Lewis
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Leans Dem in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (R+2) covers southeastern parts, including some suburbs of Minneapolis and St Paul. It is 87% White. Veteran John Kline (b.1947) was first elected in 2002 and took 56% in 2014. He is not running for re-election. The Dems have settled on well funded health care executive Angie Craig. The GOP nominated radio talk show host and columnist Jason Lewis (who won the district convention).
Erik Paulsen. (Pic: Congress)
District 3
Representative: Erik Paulsen (R)
Committees: Ways and Means.
Democratic nominee: Terri Bonoff
Republican nominee: Erik Paulsen
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Leans GOP in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (R+2) covers a relatively small suburban area west of Minneapolis and is 84% White. State Representative Erik Paulsen (b.1965) was first elected in 2008 and took 62% in 2014. The Dems are running State Senator Terri Bonoff.
Betty McCollum. (Pic: Congress)
District 4
Representative: Betty McCollum (D)
Committees: Appropriations.
Democratic nominee: Betty McCollum
Republican nominee: Greg Ryan
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe Dem in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (D+11) contains all of St Paul and stretches east to the Wisconsin border. It is 76% White. Teacher and State Representative Betty McCollum (b.1954) was first elected in 2000 and took 61% in 2014. The GOP is running plumbing store owner Greg Ryan.
Keith Ellison. (Pic: Congress)
District 5
Representative: Keith Ellison (D)
Committees: Financial Services.
Democratic nominee: Keith Ellison
Republican nominee: Frank Drake
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe GOP in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (D+22) covers Minneapolis and suburbs. It is 71% White and 12% Black. Lawyer and State Representative Keith Ellison (b.1963) was the first Muslim in the House when he was elected in 2006. He took 71% in 2014. The GOP is running realtor Frank Drake.
Tom Emmer. (Pic: Congress)
District 6
Representative: Tom Emmer (R)
Committees: Agriculture, Foreign Affairs.
Democratic nominee: David Snyder
Republican nominee: Tom Emmer
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe GOP in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (R+10) covers areas north and west of Minneapolis, including St Cloud. It is 93% White. Lawyer, State Representative and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer (b.1961) held the open seat for the GOP in 2014, with 56%. The Dems nominated iron worker David Snyder.
Collin Peterson. (Pic: Congress)
District 7
Representative: Collin Peterson (D)
Committees: Agriculture (Ranking).
Democratic nominee: Collin Peterson
Republican nominee: Dave Hughes
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe Dem in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (R+6) covers western parts of Minnesota and is the largest in the state. It is 93% White. Centrist former State Representative Collin Peterson (b.1944)was first elected in 1990 and took 54% in 2014. The GOP nominated aerospace engineer Dave Hughes.
Rick Nolan. (Pic: Congress)
District 8
Representative: Rick Nolan (D)
Committees: Agriculture, Transportation.
Democratic nominee: Rick Nolan
Republican nominee: Stewart Mills
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Leans Dem in 2016.
Status, Sep 1, 2016:
The district (D+1) contains appx. the northeastern quarter of the state, including Duluth. It is 94% White. Businessman Rick Nolan (b.1943) served in the House from 1975 till 1981 and made a comeback in 2012 – the longest ‘break’ in US history. He won a narrow victory with 49% in 2014 against businessman Stewart Mills, who is running again.
STATE LEVEL
Mark Dayton. (Pic: State of MN)
Governor: Mark Dayton (D)
Democratic nominee: Mark Dayton
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Likely Dem in 2018.
Status, May 24, 2016:
Former State Auditor and US Senator Mark Dayton (b.1947) made a political comeback in 2010, and took 50% in 2014. He is not running again in 2018.
Tina Smith. (Pic: State of MN)
Lieutenant Governor: Tina Smith (D)
Democratic nominee: Tina Smith
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Likely Dem in 2018.
Status, May 24, 2016:
The LG is chosen by the gubernatorial nominee and is nominated and elected on the same ticket. Dayton chose his former CoS Tina Smith in 2014 and is said to be grooming her as his successor.
Steve Simon. (Pic: State of MN)
Secretary of State: Steve Simon (D)
Democratic nominee: Steve Simon
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Likely Dem in 2018.
Status, May 24, 2016:
State Representative and lawyer Steve Simon (b.1969) held several jobs in the state DOJ before taking 47% and winning with a razor thin margin in 2014.
Rebecca Otto. (Pic: State of MN)
Auditor: Rebecca Otto (D)
Democratic nominee: Rebecca Otto
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Likely Dem in 2018.
Status, May 24, 2016:
Businesswoman and teacher Rebecca Otto (b.1963) was first elected in 2006 and took 52% in 2014.
Lori Swanson. (Pic: State of MN)
Attorney General: Lori Swanson (D)
Democratic nominee: Lori Swanson
Republican nominee: ?
Rating, May 24, 2016:
Safe Dem in 2018.
Status, May 24, 2016:
Lawyer Lori Swanson (b.1966) had several jobs in the state administration before she was first elected in 2006. She took 53% in 2014.
State Senate: 67 (39D / 28R). Term: 2 and 4 years. Elections in 2016.
State House: 134 (62D / 72R). Term: 2 years. Elections in 2016.
