Minnesota's 4th Congressional District

Minnesota's 4th Congressional District

Incumbent

Betty McCollum

Assumed office: January 3, 2001

Minnesota's 4th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Betty McCollum (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 4th Congressional District election, 2024

Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Democratic primary)

Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)

General election

The primary will occur on August 13, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum is running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate
		Betty McCollum

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Gene Rechtzigel and May Lor Xiong are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate
		Gene Rechtzigel
		May Lor Xiong

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mike Casey (R)

2022

See also: Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum defeated May Lor Xiong and Diane Peterson in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty McCollum (D)	67.6	200,055
		May Lor Xiong (R)	32.3	95,493
		Diane Peterson (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	11
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	414

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 295,973
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum defeated Amane Badhasso and Fasil Moghul in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty McCollum	83.4	58,043
		Amane Badhasso	15.2	10,557
		Fasil Moghul	1.4	997

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,597
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Evan Kail (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

May Lor Xiong defeated Jerry Silver and Gene Rechtzigel in the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		May Lor Xiong	44.1	9,574
		Jerry Silver	34.1	7,399
		Gene Rechtzigel	21.9	4,753

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,726
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mikki Murray (R)

2020

See also: Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum defeated Gene Rechtzigel and Susan Pendergast Sindt in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty McCollum (D)	63.2	245,813
		Gene Rechtzigel (R)	29.0	112,730
		Susan Pendergast Sindt (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota)	7.6	29,537
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	1,034

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 389,114
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum defeated Alberder Gillespie, Tiffini Flynn Forslund, David Sandbeck, and Reid Rossell in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty McCollum	84.0	80,048
		Alberder Gillespie	6.6	6,327
		Tiffini Flynn Forslund	4.5	4,312
		David Sandbeck	3.6	3,425
		Reid Rossell	1.2	1,154

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 95,266 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Gene Rechtzigel defeated Sia Lo in the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gene Rechtzigel	50.9	9,182
		Sia Lo	49.1	8,866

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,048 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Travis Ekbom (R)

Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary election

Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Susan Pendergast Sindt advanced from the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susan Pendergast Sindt	100.0	618

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 618 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum defeated Greg Ryan and Susan Pendergast Sindt in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty McCollum (D)	66.0	216,865
		Greg Ryan (R)	29.7	97,747
		Susan Pendergast Sindt (Legal Marijuana Now Party)	4.2	13,776
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	226

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,614 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Incumbent Betty McCollum defeated Muad Hassan and Reid Rossell in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty McCollum	91.0	86,842
		Muad Hassan	5.7	5,398
		Reid Rossell	3.3	3,156

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 95,396
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Fasil Moghul (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4

Greg Ryan advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 4 on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Greg Ryan	100.0	23,021

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,021
= 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.
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2016

See also: Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Betty McCollum (D) defeated Greg Ryan (R) and Susan Pendergast Sindt (Legal Marijuana Now) in the general election on November 8, 2016. McCollum defeated Steve Carlson in the Democratic primary, while Ryan defeated Nikolay Nikolayevich Bey and Gene Rechtzigel to win the Republican nomination. The primary elections took place on August 9, 2016.^[1][2]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum Incumbent	57.8%	203,299
	Republican	Greg Ryan	34.4%	121,032
	Legal Marijuana Now	Susan Pendergast Sindt	7.7%	27,152
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	461
Total Votes				351,944
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Betty McCollum Incumbent	94%	33,336
Steve Carlson	6%	2,128
Total Votes		35,464
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Greg Ryan	82%	5,618
Gene Rechtzigel	12.3%	845
Nikolay Bey	5.7%	390
Total Votes		6,853
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

2014

See also: Minnesota's 4th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 4th Congressional District of Minnesota held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Betty McCollum (D) defeated challengers Sharna Wahlgren (R) and Dave Thomas (IND) in the general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum Incumbent	61.2%	147,857
	Republican	Sharna Wahlgren	32.9%	79,492
	Independence	Dave Thomas	5.8%	14,059
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	229
Total Votes				241,637
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

General election candidates

• Betty McCollum - Incumbent a
• Sharna Wahlgren
• Dave Thomas

August 12, 2014, primary results

Independence Party Primary

• Dave Thomas^[3]a

2012

See also: Minnesota's 4th Congressional District elections, 2012

Incumbent Betty McCollum won re-election to the 4th Congressional District of Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012.^[4]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum Incumbent	62.3%	216,685
	Republican	Tony Hernandez	31.5%	109,659
	Independence	Steve Carlson	6.1%	21,135
	NA	Write-in	0.1%	512
Total Votes				347,991
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" (dead link)

2010
On November 2, 2010, Betty McCollum (D) won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Teresa Collett (R), Steve Carlson (I), Amber Garlan (Write-in) and Jack Shepard (Write-in) in the general election.^[5]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum incumbent	59.1%	136,746
	Republican	Teresa Collett	34.6%	80,141
	Independent	Steve Carlson	6.1%	14,207
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	283
	Write-in	Amber Garlan	0%	39
	Write-in	Jack Shepard	0%	10
Total Votes				231,426

2008
On November 4, 2008, Betty McCollum (D) won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Ed Matthews (R) and Amber Garlan (Write-in) in the general election.^[6]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum incumbent	68.4%	216,267
	Republican	Ed Matthews	31.3%	98,936
	Write-in	Amber Garlan	0%	1
	N/A	Write-in	0.3%	814
Total Votes				316,018

2006
On November 7, 2006, Betty McCollum (D) won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Obi Sium (R) in the general election.^[7]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum incumbent	69.5%	172,096
	Republican	Obi Sium	30.2%	74,797
	N/A	Write-in	0.2%	573
Total Votes				247,466

2004
On November 2, 2004, Betty McCollum (D) won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Patrice Bataglia (R) and Peter F. Vento (Independence) in the general election.^[8]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum incumbent	57.5%	182,387
	Republican	Patrice Bataglia	33.2%	105,467
	Independence	Peter Vento	9.2%	29,099
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	346
Total Votes				317,299

2002
On November 5, 2002, Betty McCollum (D) won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Clyde Billington (R) and Scott Raskiewicz (G) in the general election.^[9]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum incumbent	62.2%	164,597
	Republican	Clyde Billington	33.9%	89,705
	Green	Scott Raskiewicz	3.7%	9,919
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	319
Total Votes				264,540

2000
On November 7, 2000, Betty McCollum (D) won election to the United States House. She defeated Linda Runbeck (R), Tom Foley (I) and Nicholas Skrivanek (C) in the general election.^[10]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 4 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Betty McCollum	48%	130,403
	Republican	Linda Runbeck	30.9%	83,852
	Independence	Tom Foley	20.6%	55,899
	Constitution	Nicholas Skrivanek	0.5%	1,285
Total Votes				271,439

District map

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."^[11]

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."^[12] 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.”^[13]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.”^[14]

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.^[15]

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."^[15]

2010-2011

This is the 4th Congressional District of Minnesota after the 2001 redistricting process. The current district is displayed in the infobox at the top of the page.

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

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+17. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 17 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Minnesota's 4th the 84th most Democratic district nationally.^[16]

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 67.8% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 30.2%.^[17]

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+14. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 14 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Minnesota's 4th Congressional District the 99th most Democratic nationally.^[18]

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 1.09. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.09 points toward that party.^[19]

See also

• Redistricting in Minnesota
• Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2024
• Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2022
• Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2020
• Minnesota's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 4

Footnotes