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The 7th District is the mythical home of Lake Wobegon. Garrison Keillor has often noted that he was inspired by the small town in Stearns County -- pretty much split between German Catholics and Norwegian Lutherans. This is farming country, and as one would expect, its fortunes are tied to agricultural issues. The region is depopulating as more people give up the land. The district covers most of the western part of the state. Some of the "wheat growing" area is still heavily DFL, while Norwegian territory, such as Otter Tail County, is Republican.
It was in this district that -- in 1958 -- Congresswoman Coya Knutson lost an election after her husband urged her to "come home and make breakfast." In the 2000 presidential election, district voters chose Republican and former Texas Gov. George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore. About 30.2 percent of residents in the 7th district make a living as doctors, lawyers, managers and other professionals and 24.5 percent work in 9-to-5 office jobs as salespeople, administrative assistants or secretaries, for example. Another 18.1 percent are employed in transportation and production, jobs courted by powerful unions.
The 7th District is the mythical home of Lake Wobegon. Garrison Keillor has often noted that he was inspired by the small town in Stearns County -- pretty much split between German Catholics and Norwegian Lutherans. This is farming country, and as one would expect, its fortunes are tied to agricultural issues. The region is depopulating as more people give up the land. The district covers most of the western part of the state. Some of the "wheat growing" area is still heavily DFL, while Norwegian territory, such as Otter Tail County, is Republican.
It was in this district that -- in 1958 -- Congresswoman Coya Knutson lost an election after her husband urged her to "come home and make breakfast." In the 2000 presidential election, district voters chose Republican and former Texas Gov. George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore. About 30.2 percent of residents in the 7th district make a living as doctors, lawyers, managers and other professionals and 24.5 percent work in 9-to-5 office jobs as salespeople, administrative assistants or secretaries, for example. Another 18.1 percent are employed in transportation and production, jobs courted by powerful unions.
Candidates
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Michael Barrett (R) |
 | Ken Lucier (Const.) |
| |
|
Collin Peterson (D) |
District Information
School age: 20%
Age 65+: 17%
Percent below poverty: 10%
Per capita income: $17,602
Median housing value: $79,760
Percent unemployed: 3%
Percent minority: 7%
Percent college graduate: 10%
Percent less than high school diploma: 12%
Debates
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Prairie Public TV 7th District debate |
| |
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Peterson and Barrett appeared at a congressional candidates' forum at Farmfest, along with candidates from other districts. (8/1/06) |
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The Money Race
| Candidate | Funds |
| Collin Peterson | $809,983 |
| Michael Barrett | $34,126 |
Links and Resources
 Campaign 2004: 7th District |
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| Campaign 2004: 7th District election results |
State Sen. Michele Bachmann has
suspended her congressional campaign while she enters a hospital
for medical treatment.
(02/27/2006)
Patty Wetterling's announcement has upset the other Democrat in the race and has Republicans hopeful that the seat will stay in their hands.
(02/03/2006)
State Sen. Sharon Marko said Wednesday she is
jumping into the DFL race for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional
District, pitting her against former FBI agent Coleen Rowley.
(02/01/2006)
Children's safety advocate Patty Wetterling said
Friday she is ending her Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate, and
threw her support to Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar.
(01/20/2006)
Supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota are going to have a tougher time getting the measure on the ballot next November. They've lost two critical votes in the Minnesota Senate in recent special elections.
(12/28/2005)
The Pentagon is tentatively considering reducing the number of troops in Iraq by as many as three brigades over the next year, according to news reports. There are currently 18 brigades on the ground. Is U.S. military strategy in Iraq proving effective?
( 11/25/2005)
If a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage makes it on the ballot next year, it could give a big boost to Republican candidates for governor and U.S. Senate.
(11/21/2005)
Two days after Attorney General Mike Hatch entered the governor's race, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House has announced he's running for Hatch's job.
(10/26/2005)
Patty Wetterling ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Minnesota 6th District House seat last year against Republican Mark Kennedy, who will one of her competitors again in in the U.S. Senate race.
But Wetterling says this time, she's running a smarter campaign.
(10/09/2005)
As hundreds of Minnesota National Guard troops left this weekend for eventual deployment to Iraq, U.S. Rep. John Kline saw his son go overseas as well. Kline, R-Minn., said his son, Army Major J. Daniel Kline, is on his way to Iraq as part of the 101st Airborne Division. Kline spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.
(09/19/2005)
FBI 9/11 whistle blower Coleen Rowley formally launched her campaign for congress today.
Rowley is challenging Republican John Kline in the 2nd District. She's running as a Democrat even though she says until recently she voted pretty much straight-line Republican, including a vote for the congressman she's now trying to unseat.
(07/06/2005)
Former Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg is the first DFLer to formally announce his candidacy for the open congressional seat in Minnesota's 6th District. Tinklenberg made the announcement Tuesday in Blaine, where he once served as mayor.
(06/14/2005)
Senate candidates Mark Kennedy, Amy Klobuchar
and Patty Wetterling each list assets of less than $1 million in
financial disclosure forms while a fourth candidate said his assets
and liabilities both exceed $50 million, according to an Associated
Press review.
(05/27/2005)
Coleen Rowley is considering a race for
Congress in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, the former FBI
whistle-blower told The Associated Press Monday.
(05/23/2005)
The Republicans vying for a spot on Minnesota's
6th Congressional District ballot hauled in comparable amounts of
campaign cash and, in some cases, looked to the same donors,
according to reports that were due Friday.
(04/15/2005)
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