3rd District Race
Overall, the wealthiest district in the state. Among communities in the Third are Wayzata, Minnetonka and Edina, along with more diverse cities such as Bloomington, Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. If the district is known for anything nationally, it is the fact that it is the home of the Mall of America. First elected in 1990, Rep. Jim Ramstad positioned himself as a moderate, non-ideological Republican. His decision to step aside has set off a scramble to succeed him. State Rep. Erik Paulsen has gained the Republican Party's endorsement to run for the seat. Ashwin Madia, an Iraq war veteran and first-time office-seeker, has the DFL's endorsement. The Independence Party has endorsed printing company CEO David Dillon in the race.
3rd District Race stories from Star Tribune
- Paulsen wants to join Ways and MeansThe U.S. representative-elect said he'd like a committee assignment related to financial services so he can support business and job growth in the Third District. But he realizes it's a long shot to join the powerful committee.
- Letters to the editor for Friday, Nov. 7If the people of Minnesota spoke Tuesday, it was not for change. Rather, the citizens of our (perhaps formerly) great state chose stasis and incumbency instead of progress and vision.
- Paulsen vows to carry on as moderate in the Third After an acrimonious race, the GOP winner sets a much less partisan tone for voters who have long supported a moderate Republican.
- Paulsen triumphs over Madia in Third District
- Bitter 3rd race leaves bad taste with voters
- 2008 Minnesota congressional races
- Vets issues potent in congressional races
- Editorial: No pick in Third; Tinklenberg in Sixth
- Editorial: Nods to newcomers in legislative races
- Third Dist. candidates say they'll buck their own parties
The political players
Incumbent - Jim Ramstad (GOP)
Ramstad, a moderate Republican from Minnetonka, has announced he will not seek reelection. A fixture in the solidly GOP western suburbs of the Twin Cities since his first election in 1990, his voting record has been comparatively bi-partisan and he has long made a point of finding legislative initiatives he can co-sponsor with Democratic senators, particularly on issues related to health, crime and education. Read more...
David Dillon (I)
An entrepreneur and inventor, particularly related to Internet companies, Dillon, of Excelsior, entered the race believing Jim Ramstad's retirement provided an opportunity for a third-party candidate to step in to stop "the food fight' between Republicans and Democrats. Read more...
Ashwin Madia (DFL)
Madia, an Iraq War veteran and first-time office seeker, secured the DFL endorsement after an unusually cantankerous battle with state Sen. Terri Bonoff. Madia was aggressive in pursuing party delegates by telephone and by knocking on doors, stepping in at a time when a large number of DFL activists were itching for change. The question will be whether that sentiment extends to the general electorate. Read more...
Erik Paulsen (GOP)
Paulsen worked for U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz and for retiring incumbent Jim Ramstad, first in Washington and then back in Minnesota as director of Ramstad’s state office. Elected to the Legislature in 1994, Paulsen, of Eden Prairie, was chosen for several leadership positions, including House Majority Leader. Even with the Ramstad connections, though, Paulsen’s task will be to establish himself as the best fit for the suburban western Hennepin County District. Read more...