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U.S. Congress


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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.
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Mrs. Bush was in Minnetonka Wednesday morning for a $500-a-plate breakfast for Bachmann and the Republican Party. (10/25/2006)
The race for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District has become competitive with a political newcomer running as a DFLer posing a serious challenger to six-term Republican incumbent Gil Gutknecht. (10/25/2006)
U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo's retirement this year created something of a rarity: an open seat in Congress. With less than three weeks unil the election, Midday listeners get a chance to meet the candidates hoping to take Sabo's place. (Midday, 10/20/2006)
The candidates in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District face off as part of Midday's Meet the Candidates series. (Midday, 10/20/2006)
GOP Rep. Gil Gutknecht offered an optimistic message about America's direction. Democratic challenger Tim Walz spoke of an America that's desperate for change. (10/19/2006)
Democratic congressional candidate Keith Ellison is accusing a St. Louis Park woman of working with a Minneapolis writer to blackmail his campaign. (10/19/2006)
Rep. Jim Oberstar, D Minn., who has represented Minnesota's 8th District for almost 32 years, is facing a well-known challeger this year: former Sen. Rod Grams, R-Minn. Midday presents their Oct. 17 debate in Grand Rapids. (Midday, 10/18/2006)
The three major party candidates for the 5th Congressional District seat met for a debate Tuesday evening at a St. Louis Park synagogue. DFLer Keith Ellison, Republican Alan Fine and Independence Party candidate Tammy Lee were asked their views on health care, the war in Iraq and the United States' relationship with Israel. (10/18/2006)
A watchdog group filed a complaint with the IRS Tuesday against a Minnesota church, claiming the pastor violated the church's tax-exempt status by endorsing GOP congressional candidate Michele Bachmann Saturday night. (10/17/2006)
A new poll shows Patty Wetterling is the frontrunner in the 6th District race. But Republicans say the poll isn't credible. (10/17/2006)
The nasty tone of a debate in Blaine carried over from the negative TV ads both Patty Wetterling and Michele Bachmann have been running. (10/16/2006)
In Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, Muslims are speaking with a newly found political voice. (10/13/2006)
Alan Fine, the Republican candidate for Congress in the 5th District, was charged with domestic violence in 1995 for allegedly assaulting his wife, and he later had his record expunged. Fine reacted angrily to a Star Tribune report about the incident, saying he is innocent. (10/07/2006)
6th District DFL Congressional candidate Patty Wetterling talked to a national radio audience Saturday about child safety and the Mark Foley scandal. (10/07/2006)
Results of the Reuters/Zogby poll found Republican Michele Bachmann and Democrat Patty Wetterling running neck and neck with just a month left before the election. Meanwhile, the Mark Foley scandal is growing as a campaign issue. (10/04/2006)