Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer easily won a third term against Democratic challenger Ian Todd, a first-time candidate and Air Force veteran.

"Guided by our Midwest values, I look forward to building on past successes, seizing new opportunities and taking on new challenges as we continue to build a better future for Minnesota and this nation," Emmer said in a statement Tuesday night.

Emmer, who's held the solidly Republican-leaning central Minnesota seat for four years, vastly outspent Todd, raising $2.1 million to Todd's roughly $74,000. Todd, 28, who lives in Sauk Rapids, is an Arkansas native and recent Minnesota transplant. The district spans cities from Waconia to Otsego and St. Cloud.

Emmer, 57, of Delano, is a former lawyer, talk-radio host and representative in the state House. He narrowly lost his bid for governor in 2010 to DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and won the congressional seat in 2014, replacing U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. In 2016, he won re-election, with 65 percent of the vote. According to unofficial results Tuesday, Emmer won by a wide margin, but lower than 2016's margin. He's embraced President Donald Trump, attending his swearing-in ceremony and rallies in Minnesota. While Trump lost the state, he won the Sixth District by more than 25 percentage points.