2006 Election Cycle

The 2006 was a big cycle for the DFL, although the party faltered at the top of the ticket. Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau eked out a win by less than a point over Attorney General Mike Hatch and former Auditor Judi Dutcher. However, the DFL picked up two constitutional offices: Mark Ritchie, president of an agriculture non-profit, unseated Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and St. Croix small business owner Rebecca Otto defeated Auditor Pat Anderson. State Solicitor General Lori Swanson held the open seat for Attorney General for the DFL.

U.S. Senator Mark Dayton did not run for reelection but the seat remained in the DFL column with Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar as the nominee. Klobchuar was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate in state history.

The DFL flipped the 1st CD with Tim Walz knocking six-term Congressman Gil Gutknecht out of office to give the party five of the state’s eight seats.

The DFL also netted six seats in the state Senate to expand their margin over the Republican Party to 44-23 and netted 19 seats in the state House to regain control of the chamber by a margin of 85-49.

Appointed Associate Justice Barry Anderson won election to the Supreme Court without opposition.