2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2004 congressional elections in Minnesota were held on November 2, 2004, to determine who would represent the state of Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives.

2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

← 2002 November 2, 2004 (2004-11-02) 2006 →
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Last election 4 seats, 49.87% 4 seats, 46.76% Seats before 4 4 Seats won 4 4 Seat change Popular vote 1,399,624 1,236,094 Percentage 51.42% 45.42% Swing 1.55% 1.34%
District results County results Democratic   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Republican   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%

Map of Minnesota showing all eight districts

Minnesota had eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 109th Congress from January 3, 2005, until January 3, 2007. The election coincided with the 2004 presidential election. All of the incumbents who represented Minnesota in the United States House of Representative in the 108th Congress were re-elected to the 109th Congress.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2004 [1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats	+/–
	Democratic-Farmer-Labor	1,399,624	51.42%	4	—
	Republican	1,236,094	45.42%	4	—
	Independence	56,490	2.08%	0	—
	Green	26,917	0.99%	0	—
	Others	2,556	0.09%	0	—
Totals		2,721,681	100.00%	8	—

District 1

2004 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Gil Gutknecht Leigh Pomeroy Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 193,132 115,088 Percentage 59.6% 35.5%

Precinct results Gutknecht:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Pomeroy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Gil Gutknecht Republican Elected U.S. Representative Gil Gutknecht Republican

See also: Minnesota's 1st congressional district

Incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht, who had represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district since 1994, ran against Leigh Pomeroy of the DFL and Gregory Mikkelson of the Independence Party. Gutknecht easily won a fifth term, defeating second-place Pomeroy by a comfortable 24 percent margin, as Mikkelson placed at an even more distant third.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Leigh Pomeroy, university professor

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Leigh Pomeroy	12,682	100.00
Total votes			12,682	100.00

Independence primary

Candidates

• Gregory Mikkelson
• David Pechulis

Results

Independence Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Gregory Mikkelson	765	67.11
	Independence	David Pechulis	375	32.89
Total votes			1,140	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Gil Gutknecht, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1994

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent)	17,651	100.00
Total votes			17,651	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe R	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe R	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 1st Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gil Gutknecht (Incumbent)	193,132	59.60
	Democratic (DFL)	Leigh Pomeroy	115,088	35.52
	Independence	Gregory Mikkelson	15,569	4.80
	Write-in		266	0.08
Total votes			324,055	100.00
	Republican hold

District 2

2004 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee John Kline Teresa Daly Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 206,313 147,527 Percentage 56.4% 40.4%

Precinct results Kline:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Daly:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election John Kline Republican Elected U.S. Representative John Kline Republican

See also: Minnesota's 2nd congressional district

Incumbent Republican John Kline, who was first elected in 2002, ran against Teresa Daly of the DFL and Doug Williams of the Independence Party. Kline won a second term, defeating Daly by a 16 percent margin, as Williams finished a very distant third.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Teresa Daly, Burnsville City Councilor

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Teresa Daly	10,206	100.00
Total votes			10,206	100.00

Independence primary

Candidates

• Doug Williams

Results

Independence Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Doug Williams	493	100.00
Total votes			493	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2003

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Kline (Incumbent)	12,710	100.00
Total votes			12,710	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Likely R	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe R	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 2nd Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Kline (Incumbent)	206,313	56.38
	Democratic (DFL)	Teresa Daly	147,527	40.38
	Independence	Doug Williams	11,822	3.23
	Write-in		283	0.08
Total votes			365,945	100.00
	Republican hold

District 3

2004 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Jim Ramstad Deborah Watts Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 231,871 126,665 Percentage 64.6% 35.3%

Precinct results Ramstad:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Watts:      50–60%      60–70%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Jim Ramstad Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad Republican

See also: Minnesota's 3rd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Jim Ramstad, who was first elected in 1990, faced a primary challenge from Burton Hanson, but won renomination by a margin of nearly 80 percent in the Republican primary. In the general election, Ramstad defeated DFL challenger Deborah Watts, easily winning election to his eighth term in Congress.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Deborah Watts

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Deborah Watts	7,438	100.00
Total votes			7,438	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Burton Hanson
• Jim Ramstad, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1991

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Ramstad (Incumbent)	19,232	89.91
	Republican	Burton Hanson	2,159	10.09
Total votes			21,391	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe R	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe R	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Ramstad (Incumbent)	231,871	64.61
	Democratic (DFL)	Deborah Watts	126,665	35.29
	Write-in		356	0.10
Total votes			358,892	100.00
	Republican hold

District 4

2004 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Betty McCollum Patrice Bataglia Peter F. Vento Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence Popular vote 182,387 105,467 29,099 Percentage 57.5% 33.2% 9.2%

Precinct results McCollum:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Bataglia:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 4th congressional district

Incumbent DFLer Betty McCollum, who was first elected in 2000, faced off against Patrice Bataglia of the Republican Party of Minnesota and Peter F. Vento of the Independence Party of Minnesota. Defeating Bataglia by a comfortable 24 percent margin, McCollum easily won re-election to her third term in Congress, as Vento finished a distant third

DFL primary

Candidates

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2001

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (Incumbent)	16,529	100.00
Total votes			16,529	100.00

Independence primary

Candidates

• Bob Cardinal
• Peter F. Vento

Results

Independence Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Peter F. Vento	754	60.86
	Independence	Bob Cardinal	485	39.14
Total votes			1,239	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Patrice Bataglia, Dakota County commissioner
• Jack Shepard, fugitive, alleged arsonist, and former Minneapolis dentist who fled the country after allegedly attempting to burn down his own dental office^[5]

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Patrice Bataglia	7,969	76.73
	Republican	Jack Shepard	2,417	23.27
Total votes			10,386	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe D	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe D	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 4th Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (Incumbent)	182,387	57.48
	Republican	Patrice Bataglia	105,467	33.24
	Independence	Peter F. Vento	29,099	9.17
	Write-in		346	0.11
Total votes			317,299	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 5

2004 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Martin Olav Sabo Daniel Mathias Jay Pond Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Green Popular vote 218,434 76,600 17,984 Percentage 69.7% 24.4% 5.7%

Precinct results Sabo:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Martin Olav Sabo Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Martin Olav Sabo Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 5th congressional district

Incumbent DFLer Martin Sabo, who was first elected in 1978, was challenged for the nomination by Dick Franson, but Sabo won the primary election by a landslide 82 percent margin. In the general election, Sabo had no difficulty winning his 14th term in Congress, defeating Republican challenger Daniel Mathias by a margin of more than 45 percent, while Green candidate Jay Pond finished a distant third.

DFL primary

Candidates

• "Dick" Franson, perennial candidate^[6]
• Martin Olav Sabo, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Martin Olav Sabo (Incumbent)	23,047	91.06
	Democratic (DFL)	"Dick" Franson	2,264	8.94
Total votes			25,311	100.00

Green primary

Candidates

• Jay Pond

Results

Green Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Green	Jay Pond	665	100.00
Total votes			665	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Daniel Mathias

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Daniel Mathias	5,840	100.00
Total votes			5,840	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe D	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe D	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 5th Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Martin Olav Sabo (Incumbent)	218,434	69.67
	Republican	Daniel Mathias	76,600	24.43
	Green	Jay Pond	17,984	5.74
	Write-in		508	0.16
Total votes			313,526	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 6

2004 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Mark Kennedy Patty Wetterling Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 203,669 173,309 Percentage 54.0% 45.9%

Precinct results Kennedy:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Wetterling:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Mark Kennedy Republican Elected U.S. Representative Mark Kennedy Republican

See also: Minnesota's 6th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Mark Kennedy, who was first elected in 2000, encountered little difficulty winning his third term in Congress, although the election in Minnesota's 6th congressional district was by far the closest congressional election in Minnesota in 2004. Kennedy defeated his DFL challenger, child safety advocate Patty Wetterling, by a margin of about 8 percent.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Patty Wetterling, child safety advocate, and mother of kidnapping and murder victim Jacob Wetterling

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Patty Wetterling	10,385	100.00
Total votes			10,385	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mark Kennedy, incumbent U.S. Representative since 2001

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mark Kennedy (Incumbent)	11,817	100.00
Total votes			11,817	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Lean R	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe R	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mark Kennedy (Incumbent)	203,669	53.99
	Democratic (DFL)	Patty Wetterling	173,309	45.94
	Write-in		246	0.07
Total votes			377,224	100.00
	Republican hold

District 7

2004 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Collin Peterson David Sturrock Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 207,628 106,349 Percentage 66.1% 33.8%

Precinct results Peterson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Sturrock:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tie:      50%

U.S. Representative before election Collin Peterson Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Collin Peterson Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 7th congressional district

Incumbent DFLer Collin Peterson, who was first elected in 1990, faced no difficulty winning his eighth term in Congress, defeating Republican challenger David Sturrock by a landslide 32 percent margin.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Collin C. Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1991

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent)	16,036	100.00
Total votes			16,036	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• David E. Sturrock

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David E. Sturrock	10,882	100.00
Total votes			10,882	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe D	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe D	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 7th Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin C. Peterson (Incumbent)	207,628	66.07
	Republican	David E. Sturrock	106,349	33.84
	Write-in		280	0.09
Total votes			314,257	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 8

2004 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election

← 2002 2006 →

Nominee Jim Oberstar Mark Groettum Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 228,586 112,693 Percentage 65.2% 32.2%

Precinct results Oberstar:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Groettum:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Write-Ins:      30–40% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Jim Oberstar Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar Democratic (DFL)

See also: Minnesota's 8th congressional district

Incumbent DFLer Jim Oberstar, who was first elected in 1974, was challenged for the nomination by Michael H. Johnson, but Oberstar won the primary election by a landslide 71 percent margin. In the general election, Oberstar had no difficulty winning his 16th term in Congress, defeating Republican challenger Mark Groettum by a margin of more than 33 percent, while Green candidate Van Presley finished a very distant third.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Michael H. Johnson
• James L. Oberstar, incumbent U.S. Representative since 1975

Results

Democratic–Farmer–Labor Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	James L. Oberstar (Incumbent)	37,353	85.54
	Democratic (DFL)	Michael H. Johnson	6,314	14.46
Total votes			43,667	100.00

Green primary

Candidates

• Van Presley

Results

Green Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Green	Van Presley	516	100.00
Total votes			516	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mark Groettum

Results

Republican Primary Election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Daniel Mathias	13,429	100.00
Total votes			13,429	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[3]	Safe D	October 29, 2004
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe D	November 1, 2004

Results

Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2004 ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	James L. Oberstar (Incumbent)	228,586	65.22
	Republican	Mark Groettum	112,693	32.15
	Green	Van Presley	8,933	2.55
	Write-in		271	0.08
Total votes			350,483	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold