Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District

Incumbent

Kelly Morrison

Assumed office: January 3, 2025

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Kelly Morrison (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Minnesota representatives represented an average of 713,719 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 664,360 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Kelly Morrison defeated Tad Jude in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kelly Morrison (D)	58.4	240,209
		Tad Jude (R)	41.5	170,427
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	504

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 411,140
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kelly Morrison advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ron Harris (D)
• Dean Phillips (D)

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Tad Jude advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Blaize Harty (R)
• Quentin Wittrock (R)
• Brad Kohler (R)
• James Page (R)

2022

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Incumbent Dean Phillips defeated Tom Weiler in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dean Phillips (D)	59.6	198,883
		Tom Weiler (R)	40.4	134,797
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	241

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 333,921
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Dean Phillips advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Lily Joy Erickson (D)

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Tom Weiler advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mark Blaxill (R)

2020

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Incumbent Dean Phillips defeated Kendall Qualls in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dean Phillips (D)	55.6	246,666
		Kendall Qualls (R)	44.3	196,625
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	312

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 443,603
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gary Heyer (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Incumbent Dean Phillips defeated Cole Young in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dean Phillips	90.7	73,011
		Cole Young	9.3	7,443

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 80,454
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Kendall Qualls defeated Leslie Davis in the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kendall Qualls	75.9	25,405
		Leslie Davis	24.1	8,060

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,465
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Dean Phillips defeated incumbent Erik Paulsen in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dean Phillips (D)	55.6	202,404
		Erik Paulsen (R)	44.2	160,839
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	706

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 363,949 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Dean Phillips defeated Cole Young in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dean Phillips	81.6	56,677
		Cole Young	18.4	12,784

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,461
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Alicia Donahue (D)
• Brian Santa Maria (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Incumbent Erik Paulsen advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Erik Paulsen	100.0	39,077

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,077
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as a race to watch. Incumbent Erik Paulsen (R) defeated Terri Bonoff (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Neither candidate faced a primary opponent in August.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Erik Paulsen Incumbent	56.7%	223,077
	Democratic	Terri Bonoff	43%	169,243
	N/A	Write-in	0.3%	1,144
Total Votes				393,464
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

2014

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District elections, 2014

The 3rd Congressional District of Minnesota held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Erik Paulsen (R) defeated challenger Sharon Sund (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Erik Paulsen Incumbent	62.1%	167,515
	Democratic	Sharon Sund	37.8%	101,846
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	224
Total Votes				269,585
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

General election candidates

• Erik Paulsen - Incumbent a
• Sharon Sund

August 12, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

• Erik Paulsen - Incumbenta

Democratic Primary

• Sharon Sunda

2012

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District elections, 2012

The 3rd Congressional District of Minnesota held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012, which incumbent Erik Paulsen won.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Erik Paulsen Incumbent	58.1%	222,335
	Democratic	Brian Barnes	41.8%	159,937
	NA	Write-in	0.1%	433
Total Votes				382,705
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" (dead link)

2010
On November 2, 2010, Erik Paulsen (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Meffert (D) and Jon Oleson (Independence) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Erik Paulsen incumbent	58.8%	161,177
	Democratic	Jim Meffert	36.6%	100,240
	Independence	Jon Oleson	4.6%	12,508
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	167
Total Votes				274,092

2008
On November 4, 2008, Erik Paulsen (R) won election to the United States House. He defeated Ashwin Madia (D), David Dillon (Independence) and Harley Swarm, Jr. (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Erik Paulsen	48.5%	178,932
	Democratic	Ashwin Madia	40.9%	150,787
	Independence	David Dillon	10.6%	38,970
	Write-in	Harley Swarm, Jr.	0%	9
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	406
Total Votes				369,104

2006
On November 7, 2006, Jim Ramstad (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Wendy Wilde (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Ramstad incumbent	64.9%	184,333
	Democratic	Wendy Wilde	35%	99,588
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	323
Total Votes				284,244

2004
On November 2, 2004, Jim Ramstad (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Deborah Watts (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 3 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Ramstad incumbent	73.7%	231,871
	Democratic	Deborah Watts	26.2%	82,575
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	309
Total Votes				314,755

2002
On November 5, 2002, Jim Ramstad (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Darryl Stanton (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 1 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Ramstad incumbent	72%	213,334
	Democratic	Darryl Stanton	27.9%	82,575
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	309
Total Votes				296,218

2000
On November 7, 2000, Jim Ramstad (R) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Sue Shuff (D), Bob Odden (L) and Arne Niska (Constitution) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 1 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Ramstad incumbent	67.6%	222,571
	Democratic	Sue Shuff	29.8%	98,219
	Constitution	Arne Niska	1.6%	5,302
	Libertarian	Bob Odden	0.9%	2,970
Total Votes				329,062

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Minnesota after the 2020 census

Minnesota enacted new congressional district boundaries on February 15, 2022, when a special judicial redistricting panel issued an order adopting final maps. In its unanimous order, the panel wrote, "To afford counties and municipalities time to complete local redistricting, the statutory deadline for completing congressional and legislative redistricting is '25 weeks before the state primary election in the year ending in two.' In this decennium, that date is February 15, 2022. That date has arrived, and the legislature has not yet enacted a congressional redistricting plan. To avoid delaying the electoral process, the panel must now act."

After the panel issued their order, Dave Orrick of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press wrote, "The impacts of the new maps weren’t immediately clear...Since Minnesota averted losing a congressional seat, the state’s eight districts for U.S. House members don’t appear jarringly different from current maps." Briana Bierschbach and Hunter Woodall wrote in the Star Tribune, “Under the new maps, the eighth Congressional district grew larger geographically to accommodate population declines in many rural counties.”Kyle Brown of Saint Paul television station KSTP wrote, “The state’s current balance of four Republican and four Democratic representatives in the U.S. House could be thrown for a loop with a radical shift in geography for the 2nd Congressional District, which by far had the most competitive race in 2020.”

How does redistricting in Minnesota work? In Minnesota, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Minnesota State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.

The Minnesota Constitution requires "that state Senate districts be contiguous, and that Representative districts be nested within Senate districts." State statutes apply contiguity requirements to all congressional and state legislative districts. Furthermore, state statutes stipulate that political subdivisions should not be divided "more than necessary."

Minnesota District 3
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Minnesota District 3
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 3rd Congressional District of Minnesota after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Minnesota after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Minnesota State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

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

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Minnesota's 3rd the 146th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 59.5%-38.5%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Minnesota's 3rd the 144th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 59.5% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 38.5%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+1. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 1 percentage point more Democratic than the national average. This made Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District the 189th most Democratic nationally.

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 0.98. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.98 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Minnesota
• Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024
• Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2022
• Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020
• Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 3

Footnotes

[show]

Minnesota's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Tina Smith (D)

Representatives

District 1

Brad Finstad (R)

District 2

Angie Craig (D)

District 3

Kelly Morrison (D)

District 4

Betty McCollum (D)

District 5

Ilhan Omar (D)

District 6

Tom Emmer (R)

District 7

Michelle Fischbach (R)

District 8

Pete Stauber (R)

Democratic Party (6)

Republican Party (4)