Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Site Navigation

  • News and features
  • Events
  • Membership
  • About Us
Radio

6th District


SNAPSHOT
Though the U.S. Senate race seemed to hold the most promise for a close race, it was the governor's race in Minnesota that grabbed the election-night headlines. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty held onto his office by just 22,000 votes over DFLer Mike Hatch. But Pawlenty saw his GOP colleagues swept out of office. In the Senate race, DFLer Amy Klobuchar easily beat Rep. Mark Kennedy.

The retirement of Sen. Mark Dayton sparked early interest in the campaign, with Rep. Mark Kennedy jumping in early. But a year later, Kennedy emerged as the lone Republican for the job, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar's strength was forcing several Democrats, including Patty Wetterling, out of the race.

The Senate race immediately attracted national attention, but as Klobuchar surged ahead of Kennedy in the polls, much national attention turned to the 6th District, where Patty Wetterling and state Sen. Michele Bachmann were the major contenders. Bachmann beat Wettlerling. It was Wetterling's second straight loss in the district. In the 5th, Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman. And in the 1st, incumbent Gil Gutknecht was defeated by DFLer Tim Walz.
Polinaut
Minnesota Public Radio's Polinaut blog explores the universe of campaigns and politics. Come join us in the search for intelligent life.
Polinaut

Select A Candidate

Answer questions about major issues and quickly learn which candidates share your views. You'll be able to learn more about candidates and see how your results compare with those of others who take the survey.

Select A Candidate
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)