5th District Race

Solidly Democratic, the Fifth became even moreso after 2000, when Edina was shifted into the Third District and first-ring northern suburbs were added to it. The most ethnically diverse district in the state, it elected Rep. Keith Ellison in 2006, making him the first person of color to represent Minnesota in Congress as well as the first Muslim ever to serve there. He can expect to have a long tenure, with DFL endorsement tantamount to winning re-election. Ellison's predecessor, Martin Olav Sabo, served the district for 28 years. Minneapolis is the heart of the district, and mounting livability issues in the city such as crime and traffic gridlock are coming to dominate policy discussions. At their congressional district convention in April, Republican delegates unanimously endorsed
Barb Davis White, an ordained minister, to challenge Ellison.

5th District Race stories from Star Tribune

• A crash course in rending red tape
  
  You might remember Joanna O'Meara, a native of England who came to Minneapolis to become a nun but was forced to leave the country before she was done with her training.
• 'A joyful celebration' at Gay Pride Parade
  
  About 125,000 people gathered in Minneapolis on a sunny Sunday to watch the Gay Pride Parade roll down Hennepin Avenue, said Christopher Taykalo, a spokesman for Twin Cities Pride.
• Readers Write for Friday, June 26
  
  Rep. Keith Ellison says his trip to the Middle East was "personal" and did not need to be disclosed (Star Tribune, June 26).
• Editorial: Ellison fails part of routine ethics test
• Ellison's privately paid trip to Mecca prompts debate
• Pelosi is coming to raise cash for Walz
• Rep. Ellison (with a cameo), other Minnesotans react to speech
• DFL leader ambassador to Morocco?
• Bachmann balks at expansion for rail line
• Keeping campaign funds (almost) all in the family