2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Minnesota. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 14, 2012.^[1]

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota

← 2010 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2014 →
All 8 Minnesota seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Last election 4 4 Seats won 5 3 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,560,984 1,210,409 Percentage 55.48% 43.02% Swing 7.55% 3.41%
Results by percentage Results by seats gained Democratic   50–60%   60–70% Republican   50–60% Democratic Gain   Hold   Gain Republican Gain   Hold

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2012[2]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats before	Seats after	+/–
	Democratic-Farmer-Labor	1,560,984	55.48%	4	5	+1
	Republican	1,210,409	43.02%	4	3	-1
	Independence	36,433	1.29%	0	0	0
	Others	5,557	0.20%	0	0	0
Totals		2,813,383	100.00%	8	8	—

Redistricting

A redistricting plan was proposed by Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature on May 9, 2011.^[3] The plan was passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives on May 13^[4] and the Minnesota Senate on May 18,^[5] but was vetoed by Democratic Governor Mark Dayton on May 19.^[6]

In February 2012, a state court panel redrew Minnesota's congressional boundaries with the effect of enacting a "least-change" map.^[7]

District 1

2012 Minnesota's 1st congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Tim Walz Allen Quist Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 193,211 142,164 Percentage 57.5% 42.3%

Precinct results Walz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Quist:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Tim Walz Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Tim Walz Democratic (DFL)

Democrat Tim Walz, who had represented Minnesota's 1st congressional district since 2007, sought re-election. In redistricting, Murray County, Pipestone County and half of Cottonwood County were moved from the 1st district to the 7th, and Wabasha County was moved from the 1st district to the 2nd, while Le Sueur County and most of Rice County were moved from the 2nd district to the 1st. The 1st district was expected to continue to slightly favor Republicans.^[7]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tim Walz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Democratic primary results ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	15,697	100.0
Total votes			15,697	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Allen Quist, former state representative from legislative district 23B (1983–1989), candidate for governor in 1994 & 1998 and for this seat in 2010^[9]

Eliminated in primary

• Mike Parry, state senator from senate district 26 since 2010^[10]

Declined

• Randy Demmer, former state representative nominee for this seat in 2010,^[11]
• Steve Drazkowski, state representative^[12]
• Julie Rosen, state senator^[13]

Results

Republican primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Allen Quist	12,540	54.1
	Republican	Mike Parry	10,622	45.9
Total votes			23,162	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Tim Walz (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• National Education Association
• Service Employees International Union
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Clean Water Action^[17]
• Feminist Majority^[18]
• NARAL Pro-Choice America^[19]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[20]
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[21]
• Sierra Club^[22]
• Stonewall Democrats^[23]
• Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy^[24]
• VoteVets^[25]

Allen Quist (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[26]
• Eagle Forum^[27]
• National Right to Life Committee^[28]

Results

Walz handily dispatched Quist in the election, garnering 58% of the vote.^[29]

Minnesota's 1st congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tim Walz (incumbent)	193,211	57.5
	Republican	Allen Quist	142,164	42.3
	Write-in		505	0.2
Total votes			335,880	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 2

2012 Minnesota's 2nd congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee John Kline Mike Obermueller Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 193,587 164,338 Percentage 54.0% 45.9%

Precinct results Kline:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Obermueller:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election John Kline Republican Elected U.S. Representative John Kline Republican

Republican John Kline, who had represented Minnesota's 2nd congressional district since 2003, sought re-election.

In redistricting, Le Sueur County and Rice County were moved from the 2nd district to the 1st, and Carver County was moved from the 2nd district to the 3rd and 6th, while West St. Paul and parts of South St. Paul were moved from the 4th district to the 2nd. The 2nd district was made slightly more favorable to Democrats, but continues to favor Republicans.^[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Kline, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• David Gerson

Results

Republican primary election^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Kline (incumbent)	15,859	85.1
	Republican	David Gerson	2,772	14.9
Total votes			18,631	100.0

Democratic primary

Patrick Ganey, a member of the Northfield City Council;^[31] Kathleen Gaylord, a member of the Dakota County Commission;^[32] former state Representative Mike Obermueller;^[33] and Dan Powers, a former small business owner who unsuccessfully sought the DFL nomination in the 2nd district in 2010,^[34] sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination to challenge Kline. At the congressional district convention, the party endorsed Mike Obermueller.

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike Obermueller, former state representative from legislative district 38B (2009–2011)

Withdrawn

• Patrick Ganey, Northfield City Council member
• Kathleen Gaylord, Dakota County Commission member
• Dan Powers, former small business owner candidate for this seat in 2010

Results

Democratic primary results ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Mike Obermueller	11,628	100.0
Total votes			11,628	100.0

General election

Endorsements

John Kline (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[26]
• National Right to Life Committee^[28]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[20]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[35]

Mike Obermueller (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• Service Employees International Union
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[21]
• Sierra Club^[22]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Kline (R)	Mike Obermueller (D)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[36]	October 17–18, 2012	565	±4.2%	49%	41%	11%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[37]	Likely R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[38]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[39]	Likely R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40]	Likely R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[41]	Lean R	November 4, 2012
RCP[42]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[43]	Likely R	November 4, 2012

Results

Despite a strong challenge from Obermueller, Kline prevailed.^[44]

Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Kline (incumbent)	193,587	54.0
	Democratic (DFL)	Mike Obermueller	164,338	45.9
	Write-in		521	0.1
Total votes			358,446	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

2012 Minnesota's 3rd congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Erik Paulsen Brian Barnes Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 222,335 159,937 Percentage 58.1% 41.8%

Precinct results Paulsen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Barnes:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Erik Paulsen Republican Elected U.S. Representative Erik Paulsen Republican

Republican Erik Paulsen, who had represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district since 2009 sought re-election.

In redistricting, the 3rd district was expanded to include eastern Carver County, while part of the northeastern Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area was moved to the 5th. The district was made more favorable to Republicans.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Erik Paulsen, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• John W. Howard III

Results

Republican primary election^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Erik Paulsen (incumbent)	18,672	90.2
	Republican	John W. Howard III	2,032	9.8
Total votes			20,704	100.0

Democratic primary

Brian Barnes, an Edina businessman and former Navy Reserve officer^[45] and Sharon Sund, a Plymouth scientist and small-business owner^[46] sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination to challenge Paulsen. In the third district Democratic convention, Barnes won the party endorsement and Sund backed his candidacy.^[47] Sund was subsequently elected Chair of the Hennepin County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.^[48]

Candidates

Nominee

• Brian Barnes, businessman and former Navy Reserve officer

Withdrawn

• Sharon Sund, Plymouth scientist and small-business owner

Results

Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Brian Barnes	11,786	100.0
Total votes			11,786	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Erik Paulsen (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[26]
• National Right to Life Committee^[28]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[20]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[35]

Brian Barnes (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Education Association
• Service Employees International Union
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• National Organization for Women^[49]
• Stonewall Democrats^[23]

Results

Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Erik Paulsen (incumbent)	222,335	58.1
	Democratic (DFL)	Brian Barnes	159,937	41.8
	Write-in		433	0.1
Total votes			382,705	100.0
	Republican hold

Paulsen received 58% of the vote, defeating Barnes who received 42%.^[50][51]

District 4

2012 Minnesota's 4th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Betty McCollum Tony Hernandez Steve Carlson Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Independence Popular vote 216,685 109,659 21,135 Percentage 62.3% 31.5% 6.1%

Precinct results McCollum:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Hernandez:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Betty McCollum Democratic (DFL)

Democrat Betty McCollum, who had represented Minnesota's 4th congressional district since 2001, sought re-election. In redistricting, the 4th district was made slightly more favorable to Republicans, but continues to strongly favor Democrats.^[7]

The home of Republican U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, who had represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2007, was drawn into the 4th district in redistricting; however, Bachmann sought re-election in the 6th district.^[7]

McCollum retained her seat, defeating Hernandez.^[50]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Betty McCollum, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Diana Longrie, former Mayor of Maplewood (2005–2009)
• Brian Stalboerger

Results

Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (incumbent)	27,291	84.2
	Democratic (DFL)	Diana Longrie	3,212	9.9
	Democratic (DFL)	Brian Stalboerger	1,913	5.9
Total votes			32,416	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tony Hernandez, businessman and candidate for Senate in 2012^[52][53]

Eliminated in primary

• Ron Seiford, adjunct business instructor at Globe College

Withdrawn

• Dan Flood, retired Navy officer

Declined

• Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 6th district

Results

Republican primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tony Hernandez	6,876	64.1
	Republican	Ron Seiford	3,856	35.9
Total votes			10,732	100.0

Independence primary

Candidates

• Steve Carlson

Results

Independence primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independence	Steve Carlson	545	100.0
Total votes			545	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Betty McCollum (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• National Education Association
• Service Employees International Union
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Citizens for Global Solutions^[54]
• Clean Water Action^[17]
• Feminist Majority^[18]
• Humane Society of the United States^[55]
• J Street^[56]
• National Organization for Women^[49]
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[21]
• Sierra Club^[22]
• Stonewall Democrats^[23]

Tony Hernandez (R)

Organizations

• Republican Liberty Caucus^[57]

Results

Minnesota's 4th congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Betty McCollum (incumbent)	216,685	62.3
	Republican	Tony Hernandez	109,659	31.5
	Independence	Steve Carlson	21,135	6.1
	Write-in		512	0.1
Total votes			347,991	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 5

2012 Minnesota's 5th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Keith Ellison Chris Fields Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 262,102 88,753 Percentage 74.5% 25.2%

Precinct results Ellison:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Fields:      50–60%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Keith Ellison Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Keith Ellison Democratic (DFL)

Minnesota's 5th congressional district has been represented by Democrat Keith Ellison since 2007. Gary Boisclair, an anti-abortion activist, and Gregg Iverson unsuccessfully challenged Ellison in the Democratic primary.^[58] In redistricting, the 5th district was expanded to include parts of Brooklyn Center, Edina and Minnetonka, and continued to strongly favor Democrats.^[7]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Keith Ellison, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gary Boisclair, anti-abortion activist
• Gregg A. Iverson

Results

Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison (incumbent)	30,609	89.6
	Democratic (DFL)	Gregg A. Iverson	2,143	6.3
	Democratic (DFL)	Gary Boisclair	1,397	4.1
Total votes			34,149	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chris Fields, retired U.S. Marine^[59][60]

Results

Republican primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Fields	5,966	100.0
Total votes			5,966	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Keith Ellison (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• National Education Association

Organizations

• Clean Water Action^[17]
• Feminist Majority^[18]
• Humane Society of the United States^[55]
• J Street^[56]
• NARAL Pro-Choice America^[19]
• National Organization for Women^[49]
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[21]
• Sierra Club^[22]
• Stonewall Democrats^[23][61]

Chris Fields (R)

Organizations

• Republican Liberty Caucus^[57]

Results

Ellison easily defeated Fields, carrying about 75% of the vote.^[62]

Minnesota's 5th congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Keith Ellison (incumbent)	262,102	74.5
	Republican	Chris Fields	88,753	25.2
	Write-in		1,114	0.3
Total votes			351,969	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 6

2012 Minnesota's 6th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Michele Bachmann Jim Graves Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Popular vote 179,240 174,944 Percentage 50.5% 49.3%

Precinct results Bachmann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      >90% Graves:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Michele Bachmann Republican Elected U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann Republican

Michele Bachmann, who had represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2012,^[63] sought re-election.^[64]

In redistricting, the 6th district was expanded to include Carver County and was made more favorable to Republicans.^[7]

Republican primary

Ron Seiford, an adjunct business instructor at Woodbury's Globe College,^[65] and Aubrey Immelman unsuccessfully challenged her in the Republican nomination, though Bachmann won by the lowest margin of any incumbent Republican congressional candidate in 50 years.^[53][66][67]

Candidates

Nominee

• Michele Bachmann, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Aubrey Immelman, candidate for this seat in 2008
• Stephen Thompson

Withdrawn

• Ron Seiford, adjunct business instructor at Globe College

Results

Republican primary results ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michele Bachmann (incumbent)	14,569	80.3
	Republican	Stephen Thompson	2,322	12.8
	Republican	Aubrey Immelman	1,242	6.9
Total votes			18,133	100.0

Democratic primary

Jim Graves, a hotel executive,^[68] won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination at the party's convention in April 2012.^[47]

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Graves, hotel executive

Withdrawn

• Brian McGoldrick, businessman^[69]
• Anne Nolan, attorney and business consultant^[70]
• Mike Starr, substitute teacher^[71]

Results

Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Jim Graves	8,600	100.0
Total votes			8,600	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Michele Bachmann (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[26]
• Eagle Forum^[27]
• Maggie's List^[72]
• National Right to Life Committee^[28]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[20]
• Susan B. Anthony List^[73]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[35]

Jim Graves (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• National Education Association
• Service Employees International Union
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Debates

• Complete video of debate, November 4, 2012

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Michele Bachmann (R)	Jim Graves (D)	Undecided
Pulse Opinion Research[74]	October 16, 2012	1,000	±3.0%	51%	45%	6%
SurveyUSA[75]	October 9–11, 2012	598	±4.1%	50%	41%	9%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Graves (D)[76]	October 4–5, 2012	403	±4.9%	47%	45%	7%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Graves (D)[77]	August 29–30, 2012	401	±?%	48%	46%	6%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Graves (D)[78]	June 12–14, 2012	505	±4.4%	48%	43%	9%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Lean R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[38]	Lean R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[39]	Lean R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40]	Likely R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[41]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[42]	Lean R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[43]	Lean R	November 4, 2012

Results

Bachmann narrowly retained the seat, receiving 4,298 more votes than Graves.^[79]

Minnesota's 6th congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michele Bachmann (incumbent)	179,240	50.5
	Democratic (DFL)	Jim Graves	174,944	49.3
	Write-in		969	0.2
Total votes			355,153	100.0
	Republican hold

District 7

2012 Minnesota's 7th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Collin Peterson Lee Byberg Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 197,791 114,151 Percentage 60.4% 34.8%

Precinct results Peterson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Byberg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Collin Peterson Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Representative Collin Peterson Democratic (DFL)

Democrat Collin Peterson, who had represented Minnesota's 7th congressional district since 1991, sought re-election.^[80] In redistricting, the 7th district was expanded to include rural counties in southern Minnesota, while cities were moved from the 6th and 8th districts into the 7th.^[7]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Collin Peterson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Lee Byberg, business executive and nominee for this seat in 2010^[81]

Withdrawn

• Gretchen Hoffman, state senator^[82]

General election

Endorsements

Collin Peterson (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• NRA Political Victory Fund^[20]

Lee Byberg (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[26]
• Republican Liberty Caucus^[57]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe D	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[38]	Safe D	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[39]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40]	Safe D	November 5, 2012
NY Times[41]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
RCP[42]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
The Hill[43]	Likely D	November 4, 2012

Results

Minnesota's 7th congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Collin C. Peterson (incumbent)	197,791	60.4
	Republican	Lee Byberg	114,151	34.8
	Independence	Adam Steele	15,298	4.7
	Write-in		336	0.1
Total votes			327,576	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) hold

District 8

2012 Minnesota's 8th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Rick Nolan Chip Cravaack Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 191,976 160,520 Percentage 54.3% 45.4%

Precinct results Nolan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Cravaack:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. Representative before election Chip Cravaack Republican Elected U.S. Representative Rick Nolan Democratic (DFL)

Republican Chip Cravaack, who was first elected to represent Minnesota's 8th congressional district in 2010, sought re-election.

In redistricting, the 8th district was not significantly changed and remained competitive.^[7]

Cravaack was endorsed by the Mesabi Daily News in Virginia and the Duluth News Tribune.^[83] On November 6, he lost his seat to former Democratic congressman Rick Nolan, by a vote of 191,976 (54%) to 160,520 (45%)

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chip Cravaack, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chip Cravaack (incumbent)	20,471	100.0
Total votes			20,471	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Richard Nolan, former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (1975–1981)^[84][53]

Eliminated in primary

• Jeff Anderson, former Duluth City Councilor (2007–2011)^[85]
• Tarryl Clark, former state senator from senate district 15 (2006–2011) and nominee for the 6th district in 2010^[86]

Withdrawn

• Daniel Fanning, former deputy state director for Senator Al Franken^[87][88]

Declined

• Tom Bakk, State senate minority leader^[89][90]
• Carly Melin, State representative^[91][92]
• Don Ness,Mayor of Duluth^[89]
• Roger Reinert, state senator^[89]
• Tom Rukavina, state representative^[89]
• Tony Sertich, former state house majority leader^[89]
• Yvonne Prettner Solon, incumbent Lieutenant Governor^[93]

Campaign

Nolan was victorious in a February 2012 caucus, receiving 1,537 votes to Anderson's 1,008 and Clark's 408. 269 uncommitted votes were cast.

Delegates to a convention held in May 2012 could endorse one candidate, but candidates who did not receive the party's endorsement were nonetheless able to run in the August 2012 primary.^[94]

Endorsements

Tarryl Clark

Labor unions

• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• EMILY's List^[95]
• Feminist Majority
• National Organization for Women

Results

Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Richard Nolan	20,840	38.3
	Democratic (DFL)	Tarryl L. Clark	17,554	32.2
	Democratic (DFL)	Jeff Anderson	16,035	29.5
Total votes			54,429	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Chip Cravaack (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[26]
• Gun Owners of America^[96]
• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program
• National Right to Life Committee^[28]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[20]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[35]

Rick Nolan (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Education Minnesota^[15]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[16]
• National Education Association
• Service Employees International Union

Organizations

• Council for a Livable World^[97]
• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[21]
• Progressive Change Campaign Committee^[98]

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 12, 2012

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Chip Cravaack (R)	Rick Nolan (D)	Undecided
SurveyUSA[99]	November 1–3, 2012	585	±4.1%	45%	47%	8%
Public Policy Polling[100]	October 25–26, 2012	1,020	±3.8%	44%	48%	8%
OnMessage (R-Cravaack)[101]	October 24–25, 2012	400	±4.9%	50%	40%	10%
Pulse Opinion Research[102]	October 16, 2012	1,000	±3.0%	43%	50%	7%
Victoria Research (D-Nolan)[103]	October 7–8, 2012	400	±4.9%	44%	48%	8%
Global Strategy (D-DCCC)[104]	October 4–7, 2012	405	±4.9%	42%	42%	16%
SurveyUSA[105]	September 6–9, 2012	578	±4.3%	45%	46%	9%
GBA Strategies (D-House Majority PAC)[106]	August 26–27, 2012	400	±4.9%	44%	47%	9%
Global Strategy (D-DCCC)[107]	August 21–29, 2012	400	±4.9%	44%	45%	11%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Tossup	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[38]	Tossup	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[39]	Tossup	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40]	Lean D (flip)	November 5, 2012
NY Times[41]	Tossup	November 4, 2012
RCP[42]	Tossup	November 4, 2012
The Hill[43]	Tossup	November 4, 2012

Results

Nolan triumphed over Cravaack, receiving 54% of the vote.^[108]

Minnesota's 8th congressional district, 2012 ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Rick Nolan	191,976	54.3
	Republican	Chip Cravaack (incumbent)	160,520	45.4
	Write-in		1,167	0.3
Total votes			353,663	100.0
	Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican