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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
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
Prairie Public TV 7th District debate | |
Peterson and Barrett appeared at a congressional candidates' forum at Farmfest, along with candidates from other districts. (8/1/06) | |
The Money Race
Candidate | Funds |
Collin Peterson | $809,983 |
Michael Barrett | $34,126 |
Links and Resources
Campaign 2004: 7th District |
Campaign 2004: 7th District election results |
The Minnesota Senate has beaten back an attempt to force a vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. The failed tactic came as thousands of gays, lesbians, and their supporters rallied on the Capitol grounds in opposition to the gay marriage ban.
(04/07/2005)
DFLers Patty Wetterling and Amy Klobuchar are
moving forward with their prospective Senate campaigns, with
Wetterling sending out a fund-raising letter and Klobuchar setting
up a campaign Web site.
(03/18/2005)
U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht said Friday he
would run for re-election to the House, ending the possibility of a
primary fight between two Republican congressmen for the U.S.
Senate seat being vacated by Mark Dayton.
(03/04/2005)
Phil Krinkie, a GOP state representative with a
penny-pinching reputation, on Friday joined a swelling field for
Minnesota's 6th District congressional seat.
(02/25/2005)
Child safety advocate Patty Wetterling, who ran
for Congress last year, is shifting her 2006 campaign focus to a
possible Senate bid.
(02/25/2005)
The 2006 election is more than 20 months off,
but Monday at the Capitol it seemed like the campaign has already
started.
Two Republican lawmakers declared themselves candidates for the
6th District Congressional seat, the latest in a chain reaction set
off last week when U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton announced he won't seek a
second term.
(02/14/2005)
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