Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.

Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2020

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search



2022 →
← 2018
Minnesota's 1st Congressional District
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 2, 2020
Primary: August 11, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent:
Jim Hagedorn (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Minnesota
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Toss-up
Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
See also
Minnesota's 1st Congressional District
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th
Minnesota elections, 2020
U.S. Congress elections, 2020
U.S. Senate elections, 2020
U.S. House elections, 2020

Incumbent Jim Hagedorn (R) defeated Dan Feehan (D) and Bill Rood (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota) in the November 3, 2020, general election in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. The election was one of 56 U.S. House rematches from 2018.

Hagedorn was first elected in 2018, defeating Feehan in the general election by a margin of 1,315 votes. Before 2018, the 1st District was represented by Tim Walz (D), who had won his 2016 and 2014 elections by margins of 2,548 and 19,315 votes, respectively.

The outcome of this race affected partisan control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 117th Congress. All 435 seats in the House were up for election. At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232 to 198 majority over Republicans. The Libertarian Party had one seat. Four seats were vacant. Democrats defended 30 districts Donald Trump (R) won in 2016. Republicans defended five districts Hillary Clinton (D) won in 2016.

The 1st District was one of 21 congressional districts that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016.[1]

Minnesota's 1st Congressional District extends across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin. It includes Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Rock, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona counties. Areas of Cottonwood and Rice counties also lie within the district.[2]

Dan Feehan and Bill Rood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey. Click here to see their responses.

This race was one of 89 congressional races that were decided by 10 percent or less in 2020.


Republican Party For more information about the Republican primary, click here.
Democratic Party For more information about the Democratic primary, click here.

Post-election analysis

The table below compares the vote totals in the 2020 presidential election and 2020 U.S. House election for this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.

Presidential and congressional election results, Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, 2020
Race Presidential U.S. House
Democratic candidate Democratic Party 43.9 45.5
Republican candidate Republican Party 54 48.6
Difference 10.1 3.1

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Minnesota modified its absentee/mail-in voting and candidate filing procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: The absentee/mail-in ballot postmark deadline was extended to November 3, 2020; the receipt deadline was extended to November 10, 2020. The witness requirement for absentee/mail-in ballots was suspended.
  • Candidate filing procedures: General election candidates were allowed to submit filing forms and petitions electronically.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Explore Election Results site ad border blue.png

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Incumbent Jim Hagedorn defeated Dan Feehan and Bill Rood in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Hagedorn
Jim Hagedorn (R)
 
48.6
 
179,234
Image of Dan Feehan
Dan Feehan (D) Candidate Connection
 
45.5
 
167,890
Image of Bill Rood
Bill Rood (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota) Candidate Connection
 
5.8
 
21,448
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
284

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 368,856
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Dan Feehan advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jim Hagedorn advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1.

Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary election

The Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary election was canceled. Bill Rood advanced from the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[3] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Jim Hagedorn

Image of Jim Hagedorn

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

Biography:  Hagedorn graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor's degree in government and politics. At the time of the election, his professional experience included working as a legislative aide to Rep. Arlan Stangeland (R-Minn.), the director for legislative and public affairs for the Financial Management Service, and a congressional affairs officer for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Hagedorn said he was inspired by his father’s, grandfather’s, and great-grandfather’s work in agriculture to advocate for farmers in his district.

Hagedorn said he would improve access to healthcare and reduce healthcare costs, and opposed the Affordable Care Act and Democratic healthcare plans.

Hagedorn said he supported President Donald Trump (R) and his policies. He said he opposed the agendas of Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Democrats.

Show sources

Sources: Facebook, "Jim Hagedorn on August 30, 2020," accessed September 3, 2020; Jim Hagedorn's 2020 campaign website, "On the issues," accessed September 3, 2020; Jim Hagedorn's 2020 campaign website, "Meet Jim Hagedorn," accessed September 3, 2020; 

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 in 2020.

Dan Feehan

Image of Dan Feehan

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Born in Minnesota, Dan Feehan grew up north of Rochester and was inspired into service after witnessing the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 while he was a college student. He committed himself to military service in the coming months, signing up for Army ROTC . From 2005 through 2009, he served as an active duty soldier and completed two combat tours of duty as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, Dan searched for roadside bombs and his service earned him the Bronze Star for Service, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Ranger Tab. Even as his military duty was ending, Dan felt a new calling to serve children at home as a middle school math teacher and later became an acting Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. His experiences as a soldier, teacher, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense taught him the enormous impact public policy has on the lives of everyday people, and Dan hopes to use that wisdom as a lawmaker. Dan and his wife Amy, live in North Mankato with their two young boys, Conor and Declan, and their newborn daughter, Maeve."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

I will fight for healthcare and prescription drugs that are affordable, accessible, and covers pre-existing conditions for every southern Minnesotan.

I will fight to end the culture of corruption in Washington where politicians put corporate special interests way ahead of southern Minnesota.

I will always stand up for the farmers of southern Minnesota, because they deserve a representative that is not beholden to out-of-state oil companies or Washington insiders.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 in 2020.

Bill Rood

Image of Bill Rood

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I've voted for Democrats most of my life when there were anti-war candidates, though I've never felt a partisan commitment. I caucused with Democrats to support Dennis Kucinich, but four years later I caucused with Republicans to support Ron Paul. Neither of them came close to winning nomination because if there's one thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on it's war. The only difference is that Republicans, like President Trump, will honestly admit they think war is OK if you take their oil, but Democrats insist on perfuming the excrement of war with claims they are protecting democracy or human rights even when they back an openly fascist coup in Ukraine or takfiri terrorists in Libya and Syria. In 2018, I had a Hobson's choice between a) the scion of a Republican, who had worked as an aid to former Rep. Arlan Stangeland and at the Treasury Department, and b) a Pentagon employee backed by the DNC who had given me what I considered an unsatisfactory answer about the Afghan War. Both were Washington insiders, and I held my nose as I voted. In 2020, it looked like we would have the same choice if nothing were done. I wanted the my neighbors to have a better choice, so I called the chair of the Grassroots - Legalize Cannabis Party and we decided I should file. I realize now this is not about the opposing candidates, Washington insiders or not. It's about the leadership of the two parties. Even idealistic freshmen eventually bend to the will of leadership. "

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

End Endless Wars, Abolish CIA, NGO and State Dept. covert ops. Spend savings on American people.

Restore Democracy. Enact 28th Ammendment: Corporations are not people and money is not speech.

End the War on Drugs.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 in 2020.

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2020: General election polls
Poll Date Republican Party Hagedorn Democratic Party Feehan Other Margin of error Sample size Sponsor
RMG Research Inc. July 31-Aug. 7, 2020 41% 38% 22% ±4.5 500 U.S. Term Limits
Victoria Research & Consulting July 19-23, 2020 46% 48% 6% ±4.4 511 House Majority PAC


Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[4] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[5] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Jim Hagedorn Republican Party $2,423,319 $2,343,280 $81,131 As of December 31, 2020
Dan Feehan Democratic Party $4,883,182 $4,885,366 $1,337 As of December 31, 2020
Bill Rood Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+5, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 5 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Minnesota's 1st Congressional District the 190th most Republican nationally.[6]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.03. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.03 points toward that party.[7]

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[8]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[9][10][11]

Race ratings: Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2020
Race trackerRace ratings
November 3, 2020October 27, 2020October 20, 2020October 13, 2020
The Cook Political ReportToss-upToss-upLean RepublicanLean Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesTilt DemocraticToss-upToss-upTilt Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean DemocraticToss-upToss-upToss-up
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season.

Noteworthy endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available.

Noteworthy endorsements
Endorsement Hagedorn (R) Feehan (D)
Newspapers and editorials
Barinerd Dispatch[12] ✔
Post Bulletin[13] ✔
Star Tribune[13] ✔
Elected officials
President Donald Trump (R)[14] ✔
Gov. Tim Walz (D)[15] ✔
Individuals
Former President Barack Obama (D)[16] ✔

Timeline

2020

Campaign advertisements

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

Republican Party Jim Hagedorn

Supporting Hagedorn

"Farmers for Hagedorn" - Hagedorn campaign ad, released October 13, 2020
"Sheriff Freitag" - Hagedorn campaign ad, released September 21, 2020
"Workhorse" - Hagedorn campaign ad, released September 9, 2020


Opposing Feehan

"Clear Choice" - Hagedorn campaign ad, released October 19, 2020
"Feehan is guilty!" - Hagedorn campaign ad, released October 19, 2020
"Dan Feehan is the great Pretender" - Hagedorn campaign ad, released October 1, 2020

Democratic Party Dan Feehan

Supporting Feehan

"Stop" - Feehan campaign ad, released September 21, 2020
"Feehan Academy" - Feehan campaign ad, released September 10, 2020


Opposing Hagedorn

"Keep Fighting" - Feehan campaign ad, released October 22, 2020
"Oath" - Feehan campaign ad, released October 20, 2020
"Sold Out" - Feehan campaign ad, released October 8, 2020
"Business As Usual" - Feehan campaign ad, released October 1, 2020
"Service" - Feehan campaign ad, released August 25, 2020
"Real Patriotism" - Feehan campaign ad, released October 1, 2019


Satellite group ads

Opposing Hagedorn

"Swamp" - House Majority PAC ad, released September 21, 2020

Opposing Feehan

"Bad Prescription" - Congressional Leadership Fund ad, released September 30, 2020

Campaign themes

See also: Campaign themes

Republican Party Jim Hagedorn

Hagedorn’s campaign website stated the following:

“

Agriculture Economy
Jim’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim’s fight to represent southern Minnesota farmers and ag-dependent businesses is more than just politics, it’s personal. Each month, Jim travels about 2,500 miles to discuss issues posed by trade barriers, export markets, credit, insurance, taxes, health care and labor issues with hardworking Minnesotans and members of the Farm Bureau.

Jim advocates for farmers through his service on the House Agriculture Committee. He and his colleagues are tasked with making sure the Farm Bill is implemented effectively for America’s farmers. He continues to work hard with the Congressional Leadership, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Administration to expand overseas markets through the passage of trade deals such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement.

Jim is also a champion of year-round E15 biofuels. He has advocated for the elimination of small refinery exemption abuses and the extension of biofuels tax credits with the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. Jim continues to reach out to like-minded colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the high input costs farmers face through extreme federal regulations and skyrocketing healthcare premiums and deductibles.

Jobs
The people of Minnesota’s First District rely on steady, reliable jobs. Pro-growth policies and good governance enables job creators and entrepreneurs to invest, expand, and create new jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, the medical field, and the many small businesses in our community. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Jim works closely with the Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Development Centers, and Workforce Development Centers to ensure that southern Minnesotans have access to capital, international trade assistance, as well as skilled trades apprenticeship programs, and encourages government contracting opportunities for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Jim supports new policy that will allow workers to roll over flexible spending accounts (FSA) from one employer to another throughout their careers. Expand FSA eligibility to cover education tuitions, insurance premiums, co-pays, and prescription costs.

Healthcare All Americans should have access to quality, affordable health care. The Affordable Care Act has failed to deliver on its promises to allow Americans to keep their own doctors and insurance plans while saving every family $2,500/yr. The current Democratic plan to strip 158 million Americans of access to their employer-provided health insurance plans would have disastrous effects on the availability and quality of our health care system. Instead, Jim wants to drive down costs and improve access to health care through:

  • Protecting and improving Medicare by opposing all efforts to burden the system beyond its original intent
  • Covering pre-existing conditions, limiting catastrophic health care costs through high-risk pools funded by insurance companies and backed by the federal government
  • Creating greater transparency of medical and prescription drug costs to create informed consumer choices
  • Establishing Association pools to encourage pooling of risk among farmers and small businesses
  • Expanding Flexible Spending Accounts to allow all Americans, not just those who work for the government or large corporations, to pay medical expenses with tax-free dollars

He also testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, Education and Human Services to seek federal grants for cutting-edge medical research in the First District and also cosponsored H.R. 2207, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, to remove excise taxes that impedes innovation of medical devices.

Seniors
Our seniors have spent their lives investing into the system; they deserve Social Security and Medicare and Jim will not tolerate decreasing benefits and medical reimbursements for seniors. He has met with Medicare Advantage group, visited seniors at locations like dialysis centers to discuss their healthcare needs. He cosponsored H.R. 808, Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, as one way to help seniors with complex medical needs. He will continue to fight for Social Security and Medicare that the seniors of this nation have earned for themselves through a lifetime of hard work.

Veterans
American veterans and service members have allowed us to pursue peace through strength, a strong national defense, and border security. Jim and the American people are grateful for their service. He will always prioritize the needs of our service members, veterans and their families. He has staff members who served in the Armed Forces and at the Pentagon who are dedicated to helping other veterans navigate VA healthcare and other benefits issues, and committed to advancing veteran-related legislation. He is also working with the Department of Veteran Affairs to prioritize match-funding for a veteran’s home in Minnesota. Jim has co-sponsored H.R. 1605, Education Savings Account for Military Families Act, H.R. 229, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, and supported bi-partisan effort for a Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry to ensure that they have access to appropriate housing and social services.

Right to Life
The right to human life in Jim’s eyes is straightforward. It is the most fundamental of rights on which all God-given rights. He is a cosponsor of H.R. 616, the Life Begins at Conception Act as well as numerous other pro-life bills. Jim has joined the effort to force a vote on H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act, and spoke on the House floor to demand Speaker Pelosi bring this bill for a vote. A vast majority of Americans, including many Democrats, believe no matter a child’s circumstances at birth, Congress has the responsibility and duty to end infanticide, which he refers to as fourth-trimester abortions.

Second Amendment
Jim’s support for the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms has earned him the support of 2nd Amendment advocacy groups such as the NRA and Gun Owners of America. Support for the Constitutionally-protected right of gun ownership for hunting and the ability to protect our families and property is strong in southern Minnesota. Jim supports legislation for concealed carried reciprocity and cosponsored H.R. 1156, The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Reform Act. [25]

”
—Jim Hagedorn’s campaign website (2020)[26]


Democratic Party Dan Feehan

Smith’s campaign website stated the following:

“

The Issues Matter
As a fifth generation Minnesotan, I have spent more than a decade working to defend and serve the people of this state and this country as a soldier, as a teacher, and as a national security professional at the Pentagon.

Now, I am eager to serve again, this time as a representing Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, where I will apply all that I’ve learned to the pressing issues we’re facing in southern Minnesota, in Washington, and around the world.

As a soldier in war, I learned the burden of being directly responsible for the lives of others. As a middle school teacher, I learned what it means to empower children through education. As an acting Assistant Secretary of Defense, I learned the awesome responsibility of making policy for millions of our nation’s service members. Each experience was humbling as well as enlightening, and each showed me how significantly federal policy impacts the lives of our citizens. I will carry these experiences with me to Congress.

Ending corruption in Washington
I will fight to end the culture of corruption in Washington where politicians put corporate special interests ahead of the people of southern Minnesota. Washington is broken because corporate special interests like multinational oil conglomerates and East Coast pharmaceutical companies have not only purchased a seat at the table, they have completely taken it over, leaving southern Minnesotans to fend for themselves. One campaign contribution after another, their outsized voice has crowded out the needs of southern Minnesotans. That is unacceptable, and I will fight to end this corruption in Washington.

Refusing all corporate PAC money
Jim Hagedorn continues to accept money from corporate PACs, including East Coast pharmaceutical companies and out-of-state oil companies. By contrast, I have taken a simple pledge, I will take $0 from corporate PACs — period. No exceptions. This campaign is powered by the people and communities of southern Minnesota, because that’s who I will represent in Congress. By refusing all corporate PAC money, I won’t owe any favors to corporations or dark-moneyed interest. I will only answer to the people of Minnesota’s First District.

Preventing politicians from becoming lobbyists
The revolving door between politics and lobbying hurts our country. Too many Members of Congress like Jim Hagedorn have already or will use titles such as ‘Government Relations’ to shamelessly avoid having to register as lobbyists. That is wrong and that is why I pledge never to be a lobbyist in any shape or form. I will work to strengthen disclosure requirements and extend the definition of federal lobbyists to prevent former Members of Congress from trading their access for cash.

Stopping Members of Congress from trading individual stocks
Representing the people should be a public service and not a way to become wealthy. Members of Congress should not be able to use the insider knowledge they have to trade stocks on any individual company while in Congress. I will fight for rules that require Members of Congress to put their stock into blind trusts. That way, we can ensure they actually represent their constituents and not their own bank accounts.

Enacting real campaign finance reform
Foreign companies and a handful of secret billionaires should not be able to drown out the voices of Minnesotans in our elections. I will advocate for a constitutional amendment to overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision that has led to foreign donors and a handful of billionaires dominating our politics. Until then, I will work to strengthen the DISCLOSE Act to require Super PACs to disclose all of their donors.

Ending gerrymandering
Simply put, we must stop the practice of politicians manipulating districts and picking their voters. I will fight to ensure that each state has a non-partisan commission to draw fair districts that ensure that voters get to select their representatives in fair elections where the outcome is not already predetermined.

Making healthcare and prescription drugs affordable
I will fight for health care and prescription drug coverage that is affordable and accessible for every southern Minnesotan. That also means ensuring that insurance companies are never again able to take away coverage from people with pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, and cancer.

In order to do this, we must take on out-of-state pharmaceutical conglomerates and mega-insurance companies that hold outsized influence in Washington — influence that they use to keep their prescription drug prices and health care costs high in order to enjoy record profits.

The drug and insurance companies already have enough representation in Washington with politicians like Jim Hagedorn who gladly take their talking points and their campaign contributions. By contrast, I reject all money from prescription drug companies and health insurers because my service will be to the people of southern Minnesota.

Making health care affordable
In too many communities across southern Minnesota, insurance premiums, co-pays, and deductibles are too high. We need to ensure that no family risks bankruptcy from getting the medical treatment they need. In order to do this, we must ensure there is greater choice for patients and prevent insurance companies from having localized monopolies.

As your Congressman, I will push to ensure strong, trusted coverage for many more Minnesotans. For people who like their current private coverage — they must always be able to keep it. For those who don’t, I will work to expand Medicare by lowering the eligibility age to 55 and creating a public option so people can buy in to a program like Medicare. I will also join the bipartisan efforts to build on the successes of the Affordable Care Act and strengthen the individual market, which our farmers, entrepreneurs, and others rely on, making it more stable and more affordable.

Ensuring health care is accessible
We need to make sure that the realities of rural communities are part of health reform discussions and that they have a seat at the table, both to address the challenges they face and to learn from their successes. Our rural communities face unique challenges, but they also have unique strengths when it comes to providing health care. In traveling across our district, I’ve met with countless Minnesotans living in rural areas who don’t have access to local providers or have to drive hours for the care they need.

In Congress, I will work to address these growing health care workforce shortages and challenges by promoting early exposure to health careers and supporting programs that recruit and train providers in rural areas. I’ve also heard incredible stories of communities working to address obesity, mental health, or isolation among seniors. I will also push to expand the great innovation happening in our rural communities that provides health care (not sick care) and that is really making a difference in the overall health of individuals and communities.

Strengthening protections for people with pre-existing conditions
We cannot go backwards to a time where insurance companies discriminated against those with pre-existing conditions and denied them coverage they needed. That is why I will fight to protect the hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans with pre-existing conditions, so their coverage can never be taken away, so that they will always get the care they need without fear of being discriminated against or breaking the bank.

Making prescription drugs affordable
We need to bring down the skyrocketing price of prescription medications for families across our state. Minnesotans are spending too much of their paychecks on the rising cost of their prescriptions, forcing many families to make the difficult choice between paying for needed medications or putting food on the table. Our neighbors, loved ones, and others, shouldn’t have to make this choice.

I won’t take a single dime or any talking points from pharmaceutical companies. Because I am not beholden to these or any corporate special interests, I will be able to advocate for legislation that will actually lower prescription drug prices. That is why in Congress, I will fight for price transparency, empower Medicare to negotiate directly with the drug companies, enable safe generic drugs to compete on a level-playing field‬, and strengthen Medicare Part D benefits for our seniors‬.

Protecting Social Security and Medicare
I will fight to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare benefits for our seniors in southern Minnesota. People have earned their Social Security and Medicare benefits by paying into it their entire careers. Making cuts to these critical programs would be unfair, but it would also be disastrous for the economic stability and health of our seniors. Too many politicians in Washington, like Jim Hagedorn, would rather give out tax breaks to billionaires and foreign companies than stand-up for our seniors. I won’t sell out our seniors to make billionaires richer.

Defending Social Security
Social Security benefits are a critical source of income for southern Minnesotans to retire with dignity. I would fight to keep the retirement age as-is and ensure that cost-of-living-adjustments are pegged to inflation, including inflation for out-of-pocket medical costs. Finally, I would oppose any and all efforts, by either Democrats or Republicans, that would reduce benefits for our seniors.

Strengthening Medicare
Medicare provides critical access for our seniors but it needs to be more comprehensive. For example, dental, vision, and hearing must be included as a part of Medicare. Furthermore, Medicare Part D benefits need to be strengthened so seniors don’t have to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs to get the medications they need. We can do this by fully closing the coverage gap and allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies. This way, drug companies can no longer name their own price and overcharge our seniors for the medications they need.

Strengthening our ag economy
From the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi and the valleys of the Driftless Area in the east, to the wide open plains in the west, Minnesota’s First Congressional District is a rich landscape that has created and supported a prosperous tradition of family farming. The well-being of our farms and land is directly connected to the prosperity of every town and city in southern Minnesota. That is why our representatives in Congress must stand up for our farmers in southern Minnesota, rather than tow the line of interest groups or political parties.

Ending Washington’s disastrous trade policy
Our farmers worked for generations and put their own money on the line to open up new markets around the world. Yet today, farmers in southern Minnesota are losing access to those international markets and paying the price for Washington’s reckless trade policies. We must hold bad actors like China accountable. That said, we can and should do that in a smart way that does not needlessly slash farm incomes, jeopardizing the economy in regions like southern Minnesota. Unlike Jim Hagedorn, who refuses to stand up for farmers, I will always oppose tariffs that unfairly hurt our farmers. Furthermore, I will support trade deals that open markets for our farmers, ensure our workers are on a level-playing field, and protect the environment like the USMCA. Regardless of whether the President is a Republican or Democrat, I will put the farm families in southern Minnesota first.

Prevent further undermining of the market for corn ethanol
When the EPA undermines the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by handing out exemptions that allow massive oil companies to avoid blending corn ethanol, it has an immediate impact on the economy of southern Minnesota. And it is another example of Washington siding with foreign oil companies rather than communities and families here in our district. While politicians like Jim Hagedorn stay silent on this issue because they take money from out-of-state oil interests, I refuse to take any money from oil companies. Instead, I will work to fully restore the RFS, advocate for a federal biodiesel tax incentive, support trade deals to ensure other countries don’t cheat on their definitions of biofuels, and fully fund the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program in the Farm Bill.

Fighting for our farmers
The farm economy is the foundation of southern Minnesota. When you travel from county to county, you see a wide range of agricultural production and the spirit of community and hard work is embodied in our way of life. However, there is no doubt that the First District is feeling the pressure of an ever-changing economy, an aging workforce, and increased consolidation. The strength of our family farms is directly tied to the health of our small towns and cities.

That is why in Congress, I won’t accept the status quo that forces out our family farmers. I will fight against anyone, from either party, who seeks to perpetuate the notion that farms need to ‘get big or get out’. I will promote policies that encourage diversity in the crops we grow, the markets we sell to, and in the people who farm.

Promoting resilience in agriculture
I believe the farmers in southern Minnesota are leaders in protecting and improving the land and water they work with and rely on every day. As your representative, I will listen to and work with farmers who are constantly innovating and becoming better stewards. As part of this, I’ll support practices like cover cropping, diversifying crop rotations, and precision agriculture. In doing so, we will protect our prized landscapes all across southern Minnesota and ensure the quality of our land and water for generations to come. Our farmers must also be resilient to the impacts of climate change and become a key part of the fight against it.

Helping the next generation of farmers
I understand that farming is the economic backbone of southern Minnesota, which is why I am committed to making sure that the next generation of farmers can get on the land. To do this, we need to first make sure farmers can get a fair price for their products, allowing them to build a life and support their family with agriculture. From there, we can inspire young people to pursue careers in agriculture by removing barriers of entry and introducing our children to the opportunities in farming through the many agricultural leadership programs in southern Minnesota. Furthermore, I will be a champion for beginning farmers by supporting the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. There are people of all backgrounds who want to farm, and it is critical that our federal programs help them get on the land.

Rebuilding our infrastructure
Transporting our goods and services to market in a global economy requires an efficient and cost effective transportation system. Inefficiency leads to higher prices for producers. Farmers and agriculture producers rely on roads, bridges, reliable freight rails, and access to barges to ensure that we are able to move commodities to reach major global markets. Investments in our transportation infrastructure, including a WRTA bill that upgrades our locks and dams, are critical to the future of the industry. I will work with anyone at any level of government, whether local, state, or federal, to improve our roads, bridges, and waterways. Furthermore, I will fight to ensure critical projects in southern Minnesota, like the expansion of Highway 14, get prioritized by the federal Department of Transportation.

Honoring our veterans and defending our country
I’ve spent much of my career defending our nation – first, in an Army uniform during two Iraq deployments, and then for three and a half years in the Pentagon as an acting Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Our soldiers, diplomats, and intelligence agencies work tirelessly and courageously every single day to defend our country.

But while our soldiers, veterans, diplomats, and intelligence agencies have sacrificed and given so much, our Congress has continuously failed them. Instead of ensuring that our veterans have high-quality health care, jobs, and educational opportunities upon leaving the service, Congress has prioritized tax cuts for billionaires. And instead of being a co-equal branch of government, Congress has abdicated its responsibilities and allowed for us to be at war for over 18 years. Our soldiers, veterans, diplomats, and intelligence agencies deserve a Congress that will fight for them, and in Congress, I will work with Republicans and Democrats alike to make this happen.

Defending checks and balances
As a co-equal branch of government, Congress must not cede the responsibility of ultimately putting our military in harm’s way to the President alone. Congress must shape our national security strategy and determine how we use our military, an all-volunteer force, throughout the world. Congress must also check the executive branch from entering into unnecessary conflicts. I will lead the effort to hold the Executive Branch accountable to ensure that we only place our service members into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary.

Ensuring Military Spending and Readiness
When it comes to military spending, I believe that the surest way to maintain a strong and sustainable military force without unending costs is to use it more wisely. The cost of the Global War on Terror, beyond the human toll of those who have given their lives in service, will exceed $6 trillion dollars. We can have a strong military when we choose to use it more judiciously, instead of measuring it by its size or its cost. Congress has an enormous role in checking these costs, as well as the costs of a Defense Department that is still not auditable. I will lead an effort to fund a military that is strong and ready to confront our most dangerous threats, but also a military whose costs do not continually escalate and strain domestic spending. There are more than 48,000 military veterans in Minnesota’s 1st District, many of whom personally and intimately know the consequences of war. They also know that at the end of the day, each service member is measured by ability and service. I will fight for legislation that allows and encourages anyone who can meet the military’s standards to serve, including immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community. Our military is strongest when it reflects our broader society, and in the age of an 18-year war, we must have the widest net possible to recruit patriotic young people into service.

Protecting Our Homeland and Working with our Allies
No matter who the President is in 2021, I will work with them to prioritize our safety at home, defend our allies abroad, and be constantly looking for new partners with whom we can tackle the greatest hurdles in front of us. The challenges that we face today, both domestic and abroad, are constantly evolving and require a thoughtful and rounded approach to policy-making. Our nation will be most secure when we holistically approach the dangerous threats that exist in the world; this means using diplomacy and international cooperation abroad, while maintaining a careful balance to address our challenges at home.

Providing the highest-quality health care for our soldiers and veterans
We need to ensure that our veterans and servicemembers have access to the highest-quality health care. That starts with taking better care of the needs of our active duty service members on the front end and ensuring that we provide VA health care benefits to veterans on the back end.

To do this, I will fight to ensure that both TriCare and the VA are fully funded and fully staffed so that our servicemembers and veterans receive the best care. Furthermore, I will work to ensure that veterans have access to their VA health care benefits so that they do not face long wait times when receiving care. Finally, I will continue to build upon the programs that provide critical mental health and chemical dependency services for our veterans, active duty servicemembers, and military families.

Creating opportunities for our veterans
At the Pentagon, I helped create programs to ensure our soldiers and veterans received the educational and job training opportunities they needed to succeed after their service. In Congress, I will do the same to ensure that we honor soldiers’ and veterans’ commitment to public service by protecting the GI Bill and expanding other public service loan forgiveness programs. Furthermore, I will work with labor unions, trade schools, and technical colleges, to ensure that our veterans have access to high-paying jobs in the building and construction trades. Finally, I will fight to ensure that our veterans do not face discrimination when utilizing their VA home loans and other benefits.

Fighting for working families
I will stand up for all working families in southern Minnesota to ensure that they have more money in their pockets. It is critical for the prosperity of southern Minnesota, that we restore the dignity of work and fight to ensure that every family has access to strong middle-class jobs that pay well, provide good benefits, and ensure stability. There is no single silver bullet, and it will take all of us, including labor unions, businesses, and institutions of higher learning, to ensure that our economy in southern Minnesota is strong, not just for a few, but for every single person.

Creating good middle-class jobs We must create jobs that pay well, provide good benefits, and are stable. No matter who the President is in January of 2021, I will work with that person, along with labor unions, businesses and colleges in southern Minnesota, to find opportunities to make smart investments that will create jobs in our communities. In Congress, I will push for greater investments in infrastructure to rebuild roads, bridges and waterways, and create more wind turbines and solar farms to create new jobs for southern Minnesotans. I will work with small businesses and community leaders to identify unnecessary regulations that burden small business owners and potential small business owners. Finally, I will work with students and universities to promote entrepreneurship and create incentives to keep young people living in southern Minnesota.

Protecting the rights of workers Labor unions have fought to make workplaces equitable and are a critical part of ensuring we have an economy that works for everyone. That is why, in Congress, I will fight against any and every “right-to-work” law; I would fight to establish a consistent preference in federal government contracting for unionized employers that provide workers with fair pay and benefits; and I would fight to protect the sanctity of union elections. Furthermore, I would fight for paid sick leave and parental leave benefits for our workers and I would fight to ensure that all workers have safe and fair workplaces where no one is subject to harassment or discrimination. Finally, I would be a strong champion of equal pay for equal work for women and advocate for protections from pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Passing tax reform that prioritizes families rather than mega corporations
The 2017 tax bill prioritized multinational corporations and billionaires rather than working families in southern Minnesota. I would fight for tax reform that makes tax season simpler and less time consuming for working families. Furthermore, instead of sending more money into the pockets of billionaires and multinational corporations, I believe we must expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and provide much needed tax relief to working families and small businesses.

Making health care, childcare, and education affordable and accessible
For too many working families, the costs of health care, childcare, and education have far outpaced wage growth. That is why I have plans on how to make health care, childcare, and education more affordable and accessible to ensure that working families keep more of their paycheck on a monthly basis.

Preparing our young people for the future
As a former public school teacher, the spouse of a public school educator, and a father to three children we are raising here in southern Minnesota, I will fight to defend public education and ensure every family has a high-quality and fully funded education from pre-K to post-secondary.

I know that there is no more important job than preparing our youth for the future. We need to equip our children with the skills to succeed in a 21st century economy and treat others with kindness and respect. That is why in Congress, I will fight to maintain and strengthen our strong public education system that helps both our economy and our communities in southern Minnesota thrive.

Making early childhood education accessible and affordable
I support Early Childhood Education as a pathway that gives our children every advantage to develop socially, emotionally, and intellectually. I will work to ensure that there are multiple affordable options for preschool for families within their home communities. Furthermore, I will pursue policies in Congress to ensure that our early childhood educators, especially our child care providers, can still provide critical services at a low cost. I will also work to control the costs of childcare for our working parents, who shouldn’t have to break their bank before their children even start school.

Strengthening our K-12 Education
Preparing skilled workers and lifelong learners: Our K-12 education system must prepare our children to be adaptive learners throughout their lives in a rapidly-evolving economy and society. Our children must have access to STEM, to the arts, to coding, and to the power that internet connectivity and technology brings to the classroom.

Furthermore, we must help our children develop a love of learning. That is why our kids should have every learning opportunity to learn to think on their feet and problem solve, to work in teams and as part of a larger group, to use modern technology, and give them the opportunity to try working with their hands.

Building partnerships: As Congressman, I will encourage partnerships between local labor, businesses, technical schooling, and apprenticeships, as well as 2 and 4-year degree programs so that each child can know of, from an early age, the many opportunities that already exist right here in our communities. This isn’t just true in manufacturing, but also in healthcare, IT, agriculture, logistics and transportation, aviation, and more. We can be doing a lot more in our education system to help students and their families identify multi-directional educational pathways that can lead to any number of high-wage, high-growth job opportunities available in southern Minnesota.

There are great models for this youth engagement in our community today, and we know them very well – we know them as FFA and 4-H. Let’s use FFA and 4-H as models for what engaging with our youth can look like to strengthen both our local communities and the broader economy.

Supporting teachers: Great teachers are the lifeblood of our educational system. As the husband of a public school teacher, I know this well. It’s crucial that we recruit, develop, and retain a strong and diverse teacher workforce. I believe that every classroom must be led and empowered by teachers who are set up for success and compensated for the public service they provide. I will work on creative solutions to recruiting teachers in shortage areas such as STEM, special education, and in our rural communities. I will also support efforts in Congress to make sure teachers can sharpen their skills through ongoing professional development and get the support they need to prevent burnout. Lastly, I will ensure that federal research is directed towards the frontline challenges that teachers experience across southern Minnesota and the country.

Higher Education and Workforce Development
It is unacceptable that so many of our young people are saddled with tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt at high interest rates. When our young people pursue a post-secondary education, whether a four-year degree, a two-year degree, or apprenticeship, it must fulfill the promise of career enhancement without the crippling debt that hurts so many of our students and our entire community.

In Congress, I will support legislation that caps student loan rates and expands the job pathways to loan forgiveness. Furthermore, I will work with institutions of higher education to demand transparency when their prices rise. Finally, I will work with labor unions, trade schools, and technical colleges to ensure that our young people have access to high-paying jobs in the trades or technical jobs that don’t require attending a four-year university.

Combating climate change
As the father of three children and a national security professional, I believe it is imperative that we combat climate change to leave a safer and more prosperous Earth for all of our children.

By refusing to address climate change, we will exacerbate extreme weather events, food shortages, armed conflicts, and migration patterns, both around the world and right here in southern Minnesota. The science is clear that if we do not take immediate and dramatic steps to curb this impact, our farmers, our children, and our communities will suffer tremendously. I believe that we need to move towards clean and renewable energy and the rest of the country should take southern Minnesota’s lead with more wind farms, solar panels, and biofuels to ensure that we can address the challenges of climate change together. Addressing climate change is the right thing to do so we leave a cleaner world for our children and our grandchildren, but it will also help our economy here in southern Minnesota and keep our country safer in a time of global instability. In fact, NASA, the Department of Defense and 97% of scientists agree that climate change is a real threat and worsens extreme weather, over the past 40 years, has been calling climate change one of the greatest threats to our country’s national security. It is unconscionable that Jim Hagedorn proudly denies the existence of climate change and refuses to act on it.

Leading with our farmers
I have seen first-hand the devastation caused by climate change, particularly for our farmers and producers in southern Minnesota. Our farmers and producers are on the frontlines of climate change and they are experiencing the worst effects of it. In Congress, I will advocate for programs like the Rural Green Partnership that expand and improve conservation programs already used and respected by farmers, invest in rural infrastructure like broadband to enable better precision agriculture, and increase funding for applied research on how to provide our farmers with even better tools and technology. By doing this we ensure our farmers and the broader agricultural community are at the front of any solution to address climate change.

Addressing national security
In Congress I want to be a leader on environmental issues, leveraging my background in national security. For decades, the Department of Defense has published report after report detailing the consequences to national security if we do not address climate change. We have seen the effects of international crises being exacerbated by a changing climate. I believe that I can lead a group of Republicans and Democrats to address environmental issues from a national security lens to complement the already robust moral and economic case.

Investing in the future
With the input of our farmers and producers in mind, I will advocate for increasing investment in American solar, wind, and biofuels, curtailing our reliance on oil from Saudi Arabia and other foreign nations. Furthermore, I will fight to increase funding for research and development and create partnerships between the public and private sector so that the next generation of technologies can be developed to most effectively combat climate change. Finally, I will bolster workforce development to ensure that the green energy sector creates good-paying union jobs in southern Minnesota.

[25]

”
—Dan Feehan’s campaign website (2020)[27]


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Nineteen of 87 Minnesota counties—21.8 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Beltrami County, Minnesota 9.72% 9.89% 10.15%
Blue Earth County, Minnesota 3.69% 9.48% 12.95%
Chippewa County, Minnesota 28.70% 1.87% 5.87%
Clay County, Minnesota 1.95% 7.92% 16.02%
Fillmore County, Minnesota 21.70% 7.34% 8.26%
Freeborn County, Minnesota 17.24% 14.11% 17.13%
Houston County, Minnesota 13.87% 3.16% 10.69%
Itasca County, Minnesota 16.35% 9.83% 12.92%
Kittson County, Minnesota 22.05% 6.03% 18.54%
Koochiching County, Minnesota 19.85% 9.45% 10.10%
Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota 25.60% 0.90% 5.92%
Mahnomen County, Minnesota 2.92% 18.56% 25.31%
Mower County, Minnesota 7.82% 22.61% 23.61%
Nicollet County, Minnesota 3.04% 7.83% 10.52%
Norman County, Minnesota 13.34% 10.79% 26.94%
Rice County, Minnesota 3.06% 8.27% 11.50%
Swift County, Minnesota 25.57% 9.83% 13.79%
Traverse County, Minnesota 23.30% 4.44% 5.41%
Winona County, Minnesota 2.90% 12.85% 19.09%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Minnesota with 46.4 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 44.9 percent. In presidential elections between 1860 and 2016, Minnesota voted Republican 50 percent of the time and Democratic 47.5 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Minnesota voted Democratic all five times.[28]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Minnesota. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[29][30]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 68 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 27.6 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 62 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 30.4 points. Clinton won 12 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 66 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 12.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 72 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 23.8 points. Trump won seven districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


Candidate ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for 1st Congressional District candidates in Minnesota in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.

Filing requirements, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Minnesota 1st Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $300.00 Fixed number 6/2/2020 Source
Minnesota 1st Congressional District Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 6/2/2020 Source

District election history

2018

See also: Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Jim Hagedorn defeated Dan Feehan in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Hagedorn
Jim Hagedorn (R)
 
50.1
 
146,200
Image of Dan Feehan
Dan Feehan (D)
 
49.7
 
144,885
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
576

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 291,661
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Dan Feehan defeated Colin Minehart in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Dan Feehan
Dan Feehan
 
83.1
 
39,252
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Colin Minehart
 
16.9
 
7,979

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 47,231
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1

Jim Hagedorn defeated Carla Nelson, Steve Williams, and Andrew Candler in the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 1 on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Hagedorn
Jim Hagedorn
 
60.1
 
25,431
Image of Carla Nelson
Carla Nelson
 
32.2
 
13,631
Image of Steve Williams
Steve Williams
 
5.1
 
2,144
Image of Andrew Candler
Andrew Candler
 
2.6
 
1,107

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 42,313
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Minnesota's 1st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Tim Walz (D) narrowly defeated Jim Hagedorn (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Walz faced no primary challenger, while Hagedorn defeated Steve Williams in the Republican primary on August 9, 2016.[31][32]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 1 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngTim Walz Incumbent 50.3% 169,074
     Republican Jim Hagedorn 49.6% 166,526
     N/A Write-in 0.1% 277
Total Votes 335,877
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State


U.S. House, Minnesota District 1 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJim Hagedorn 76.5% 10,851
Steve Williams 23.5% 3,330
Total Votes 14,181
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

2014

See also: Minnesota's 1st Congressional District elections, 2014

The 1st Congressional District of Minnesota held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Tim Walz (D) defeated Jim Hagedorn (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 1 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngTim Walz Incumbent 54.2% 122,851
     Republican Jim Hagedorn 45.7% 103,536
     N/A Write-in 0.1% 308
Total Votes 226,695
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Daily Kos, "These 21 congressional districts flipped to Donald Trump after backing Barack Obama in 2012," February 23, 2017
  2. ↑ United States Census Bureau, "Counties by Congressional Districts," accessed June 8, 2016
  3. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  4. ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
  5. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
  6. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  7. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  8. ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  9. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  10. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  11. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Brainerd Dispatch, "Endorsement: Dan Feehan is the right fit for U.S. District 1," October 21, 2020
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Post Bulletin, "Endorsement: Dan Feehan is the right fit for U.S. District 1," October 21, 2020 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "star" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ Twitter, "Jim Hagedorn on August 10, 2020," accessed September 3, 2020
  15. ↑ Dan Feehan's 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed September 3, 2020
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Medium, "Second Wave of 2020 Endorsements," September 25, 2020
  17. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2020 Rating Changes," November 2, 2020
  18. ↑ Twitter, "Jacob Rubashkin on October 28, 2020," accessed October 29, 2020
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post
  20. ↑ The Cook Political Report, "House Rating Changes: 12 Races on the Move, Almost All Towards Democrats," October 21, 2020
  21. ↑ Twitter, "Jacob Rubashkin on October 16, 2020," accessed October 21, 2020
  22. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2020 Rating Changes," accessed October 6, 2020
  23. ↑ Twitter, "Jim Hagedorn on August 10, 2020," accessed September 3, 2020
  24. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Minnesota - House District 01," accessed September 3, 2020
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  26. ↑ Jim Hagedorn’s campaign website, “On the Issues,” accessed September 3, 2020
  27. ↑ Dan Feehan’s campaign website, “The Issues,” accessed September 3, 2020
  28. ↑ 270towin.com, "Minnesota," accessed June 29, 2017
  29. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  30. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  31. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 1, 2016
  32. ↑ Politico, "Minnesota House Primaries Results," August 9, 2016


Minnesota's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Amy Klobuchar (D)
Tina Smith (D)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
Tom Emmer (R)
District 7
District 8
Democratic Party (6)
Republican Party (4)


v • e
2019-2020 Elections to the United States Congress
Senate by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona (special) • Arkansas • Colorado • Delaware • Georgia (special) • Idaho • Illinois • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • North Carolina • Oklahoma • Oregon • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • West Virginia • Wyoming
CongressLogo.png
House by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Election information
Super PACs/Organizations
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Minnesota%27s_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2020&oldid=10260703"