 |
|
In the Spotlight
Tools
Your Voice
What goals would you set for President Bush? What focus would you like to see? What do you want from the 2004 administration?Campaign Calendar
| Nov. 2 Election day |
 |
| December 13 Presidential electors meet at state capitals. |
|
| Jan. 5 Start of 109th Congress |
|
| Jan. 20 Presidential inauguration |
|
 |
|
 | ||
|       | |
|
Candidates
District Information
 School age: 22% Age 65+: 8% Percent below poverty: 5% Per capita income: $23,524 Median housing value: $137,506 Percent unemployed: 2% Percent minority: 5% Percent college graduate: 14% Percent less than high school diploma: 6% District Pages
MyBallot.net
Links and Resources
News Headlines
|
Congress: 6th District
SNAPSHOT
When it's time to redistrict congressional districts in Minnesota, the 6th District usually is the battleground. The last redistricting — 2002 — was no exception as a large block of the 7th and 2nd Districts were awarded to the 6th, dramatically changing the politics in the district. Before redistricting, faster growing Eastern suburbs such as Woodbury and Oakdale — which tended to be somewhat Republican — vied with some established DFL-leaning northern suburbs. But with the addition of cities around the St. Cloud area, most every candidate concentrated on these more-conservative, voter-rich areas. In 2002, incumbent, pro-choice Rep. Bill Luther didn't bother to run for re-election, moving into the 2nd instead. Republican Mark Kennedy, who had been in the 2nd, fairly easily beat Oak Park Heights DFLer Janet Roberts 57-to-35 percent, and then showed the power of the northwestern region by setting up his district offices in Buffalo, Hugo, and St. Cloud, ignoring the suburbs that were in the 6th District to begin with. Demographically, however, the district has the same face: former farm fields turn into subdivisions. It heavily supported Sen. Norm Coleman and Gov. Tim Pawlenty — both Republicans — in 2002.
When it's time to redistrict congressional districts in Minnesota, the 6th District usually is the battleground. The last redistricting — 2002 — was no exception as a large block of the 7th and 2nd Districts were awarded to the 6th, dramatically changing the politics in the district. Before redistricting, faster growing Eastern suburbs such as Woodbury and Oakdale — which tended to be somewhat Republican — vied with some established DFL-leaning northern suburbs. But with the addition of cities around the St. Cloud area, most every candidate concentrated on these more-conservative, voter-rich areas. In 2002, incumbent, pro-choice Rep. Bill Luther didn't bother to run for re-election, moving into the 2nd instead. Republican Mark Kennedy, who had been in the 2nd, fairly easily beat Oak Park Heights DFLer Janet Roberts 57-to-35 percent, and then showed the power of the northwestern region by setting up his district offices in Buffalo, Hugo, and St. Cloud, ignoring the suburbs that were in the 6th District to begin with. Demographically, however, the district has the same face: former farm fields turn into subdivisions. It heavily supported Sen. Norm Coleman and Gov. Tim Pawlenty — both Republicans — in 2002.
Wetterling is working hard to raise money and attention in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District
Political junkies will be scanning the latest fundraising reports, looking to see how candidates in the most competitive races are faring. In Minnesota they'll pay particular attention to the 6th Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy and DFLer Patty Wetterling. The race may come down to experience versus name recognition. Kennedy is hoping that voters will appreciate his two terms in office over Wetterling's popularity. (07/15/2004)
Wetterling's campaign theme: Children are our future
DFLers have made it official: Patty Wetterling is the party's choice to unseat Republican Mark Kennedy this fall in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. The unanimous endorsement came before Saturday's DFL state convention in Duluth. (05/21/2004)
Wetterling jumps into broader political arena in Congress bid
Patty Wetterling made it official Tuesday, announcing her candidacy for Minnesota's 6th Congressional district. She'll run as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy. Tragedy has given Patty Wetterling tremendous name recognition. In 1989, her son Jacob was abducted at gunpoint near his St. Joseph home, and he's been missing ever since. Wetterling has spent 14 years pushing for state and national legislation to deal with violence against children. Now Wetterling will need to convince people her candidacy is about more than one issue. (05/11/2004)
Wetterling's popularity no guarantee she can win in the 6th District
Missing childrens' advocate Patty Wetterling popularity gives her a big boost in the 6th Congressional District, but she'll need more than name recognition to win and unseat Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy. (05/11/2004)
Republican congressman responds to Kerry visit
Democrats are not the only ones interested in John Kerry's visit to Minnesota. Republicans in the state are also watching the presumptive Democratic candidate for president closely as they try to help president Bush win the state's 10 electoral votes. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy, who represents the 6th Congressional District. Kennedy has been a strong supporter of President Bush. (05/04/2004)
Kennedy has company in the 6th District
Patty Wetterling, an advocate for missing and exploited children, is a DFL candidate in Minnesota 6th District. Wetterling's campaign says she filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and will start raising money right away. Wetterling is one of several candidates who will be seeking the Democratic nomination to run in the 6th District. Whoever wins the nomination will face Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy. (04/30/2004)
Wetterling mulling run for Congress
Patty Wetterling is thinking about running for Congress this fall to oust Republican Mark Kennedy. Wetterling is nationally known for the way she responded to the 1989 abduction of her son Jacob who's still missing. She helped create the Jacob Wetterling Foundation to push child safety issues at the state capitol, and in Washington, D.C. The DFL party has been recruiting her for the past couple of weeks to run in the Sixth Congressional District which stretches from the suburbs of the Twin Cities, up to St. Cloud. If she does decide to run, she will have to secure the DFL endorsement before a possible matchup against Kennedy. At least one other DFLer, Ted Thompson, has already announced his intention to get the DFL endorsement. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Patty Wetterling. (04/27/2004)
Does Mark Kennedy have higher goals?
Some of the biggest political speculation in Minnesota has nothing to do with the 2004 election. Instead, it's looking ahead to 2006 when DFL incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is up for re-election. One of the names most often mentioned as a Republican who might challenge Dayton is 6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000. (12/22/2003)
Kennedy on toll roads and current events
Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn. talks about his proposal to ease traffic congestion with toll roads, and other issues facing Congress. He also takes listener questions. ( 12/12/2003)
Kennedy remarks on Iraq
Minnesota 6th district republican Congressman Mark Kennedy talks about his recent trip to Iraq, and the major issues facing Congress this fall. ( 09/04/2003)
Tolls for thee, Minnesota?
In the next couple of years, Minnesotans could be paying tolls to use certain metropolitan highway lanes. State and federal lawmakers are considering plans to charge lane fees to relieve congestion and fund new road projects. The proposal is part of a mix of highway development and financing plans announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration and legislators from both parties. (04/24/2003)
More News & Features
© 2023 | Home : Terms of Use : Your Privacy RightsRadio Listening : News & Features : Events Calendar : Your Voice : About Us