Minnesota's 5th congressional district election, 2006

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5th District candidates Keith Ellison, Alan Fine and Tammy Lee debate at Beth El Synagogue on October 17, 2006

Minnesota's 5th congressional district election, 2006 was an election for the United States House of Representatives for the open seat of incumbent Martin Olav Sabo (DFL), who retired after serving the Minneapolis-based district for 28 years.

Sabo, who had rarely faced a serious electoral challenge, won reelection with 70% of the vote in 2004 in a district that went for John Kerry by 71% in the presidential election. The seat has elected candidates of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) since 1962 and was rated "Safe Democratic" by CQ Politics.

Sabo's surprising announcement in March 2006 prompted many area Democrats to enter the race. While State Rep. Keith Ellison received the party's endorsement, he was not backed by Sabo and faced a stiff primary competition from former Sabo aide Mike Erlandson, among others. Having survived the primary, Ellison handily defeated Republican Alan Fine and Independent Tammy Lee in the general election.

District background and geography

Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District is, by Minnesota standards, a geographically small urban and suburban congressional district in eastern Minnesota. It covers eastern Hennepin County, including the entire city of Minneapolis, along with parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. It was created in 1883 and was named the "Bloody Fifth" on account of the first election.

Democratic endorsement

Before Sabo announced his retirement, he was being challenged for the party endorsement by professor and peace activist Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.^[1] When he announced his retirement, several candidates sought the endorsement to replace him. These candidates included Nelson-Pallmeyer, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman,^[2] Minneapolis City Council Members Gary Schiff^[3] and Paul Ostrow,^[4] former State Senator Ember Reichgott Junge,^[5] State Representative Keith Ellison,^[6] former DFL Party Chair and Sabo Chief of Staff Mike Erlandson,^[7] attorney Jorge Saavedra,^[8] Anne Knapp,^[9] Minneapolis Park Board President Jon Olson,^[10] and peace activist and 7th district resident Erik Thompson^[11] (who subsequently challenged Congressman Collin Peterson).^[12] At the district convention in May, Ellison won the endorsement after four ballots.^[13]

Democratic primary

In the September primary, the retiring Sabo backed his former Chief of Staff, Mike Erlandson. Ellison and Erlandson were joined by former state senator Ember Reichgott Junge and Minneapolis city councilman Paul Ostrow in the primary race. Ellison went on to win the September 12 primary with 41% of the vote.

Sabo support

During the 2006 primary run, departing Representative Sabo had endorsed and donated money to the campaign of his longtime chief of staff, Mike Erlandson. When Ellison won the primary and his campaign manager contacted him, Sabo said that he “wouldn't be supporting anyone in the race”. Sabo donated funds to the general election campaigns of many Minnesota Democrats, including Coleen Rowley, Patty Wetterling, Tim Walz, and Amy Klobuchar, but none to Ellison. Sabo did not publicly endorse anyone, but allowed a picture of himself with Independence candidate Tammy Lee to be used in her campaign. Some Democrats were disappointed in Sabo’s silence on their chosen candidate.^[14][15]

General election

Ellison faced off against Green Jay Pond, Independence Party nominee Tammy Lee and Republican Alan Fine in the general election, none of whom received primary opposition. Ellison's personal problems were discussed frequently by his competitors.

Lee capitalized on the character issues by securing endorsements from a coalition of Minnesota Democrats.^[16] Kathleen Anderson, Sabo's long-time district director was the most notable of the group. Anderson labeled Ellison a "scofflaw" and said that Tammy Lee is the only candidate honorable enough to carry on Sabo's legacy.^[17]

Sabo meanwhile, did not endorse Ellison, instead taking a picture with Lee and allowing her to use it in her commercials and literature.^[18] However, Ellison won the race with 56% of the vote, with Fine and Lee each pulling in 21%.^[19]

The candidates

Keith Ellison

Lawyer and State Representative, Keith Ellison (born August 4, 1963), was the Democratic candidate and winner of the election. The Detroit native is the first Muslim^[20][21] to be elected to the United States Congress. He is also the first African American elected to the House from Minnesota.^[22] In 2002, Ellison was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 58B, where he served two terms.

Alan Fine

Business consultant Alan Fine (born 1962), was the Republican nominee. A Minneapolis native, Fine graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with an MBA. He currently heads Fine Enterprises, a consultancy group assisting businesses in management, investment banking, and business plan implementation.^[23]

Fine also taught at the Carlson School of Management for over a decade, earning several honors. In addition, he founded the Entrepreneurship Club at the University of Minnesota along with several students.^[24] Fine's campaign centered around his frequent criticism for Ellison's past involvement with the Nation of Islam. His campaign motto was "Fiscally Prudent, Socially Responsible, Proud to be an American!"

Tammy Lee

The Independence Party nominated Golden Valley businesswoman Tammy Lee (born 1971). Lee worked in the travel industry for several years, she is most known for her time with Sun Country Airlines, where she was named "Corporate Woman of Achievement" by the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.^[25]

Her political background includes serving as the communications director for Skip Humphrey's gubernatorial bid in 1998 and acting as U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan's press secretary.^[25] Lee campaigned as a moderate alternative to Ellison and promised to caucus with the Democrats if elected.

Jay Pond

Green Party candidate, Jay Pond (born May 25, 1959) rounded out the field. A South Dakota native, Pond graduated from Augustana College in 1981 with a degree in political science. In 2002, he was the Green Party endorsed candidate for US Congress in California's 8th district (San Francisco). He picked up 6% of the vote against incumbent Nancy Pelosi.^[26]

By 2004, Pond had moved to Minneapolis where he again received the Green Party endorsement for US Congress. He received 6% of the vote, this time against Martin Sabo in the 5th District.^[26]

Election results

• 2006 campaign for U.S. House of Representatives – Minnesota 5th District^[19]
  • Keith Ellison (DFL), 56%
  • Alan Fine (R), 21%
  • Tammy Lee (IM), 21%
  • Jay Pond (G), 2%
• 2006 campaign for U.S. House of Representatives – Minnesota 5th District (Democratic Primary)
  • Keith Ellison (DFL), 41%
  • Mike Erlandson (DFL), 31%
  • Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL), 21%
  • Paul Ostrow (DFL), 5%

See also

• Minnesota's 5th congressional district
• Martin Olav Sabo
• Keith Ellison
• Mike Erlandson
• Ember Reichgott Junge

References

External links

• Keith Ellison for Congress
• Alan Fine for Congress
• Ellison's Minnesota Public Radio profile
• Fine's Minnesota Public Radio profile
• Lee's Minnesota Public Radio profile
• Pond's Minnesota Public Radio profile
• League of Women Voters Debate
• CD 5 Candidate Forum, October 17 (Minnesota Public Radio)
• CD 5 Candidate Forum, October 10 (Minnesota Public Radio)
• CD 5 Candidate Forum, September 21 (Minnesota Public Radio)
• Controversy gnaws at Ellison lead (Pioneer Press)
• Tammy Lee endorsed by 12 local officials of various parties (Star Tribune)
• Might people who don't want Fine or Ellison favor Tammy Lee? (Star Tribune)
• Alan Fine is a pol with a tune, not just a song-and-dance (Star Tribune)

Further reading

• "Warning: GOP smear campaign just ahead". News. Star Tribune. September 15, 2006. p. 18A.  |access-date= requires |url= (help)
• Grow, Doug (September 15, 2006). "Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Doug Grow column". State and regional news. Star Tribune.  |access-date= requires |url= (help)

Elections in Minnesota
General elections 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
State elections Executive elections Gubernatorial elections 1857 1859 1861 1863 1865 1867 1869 1871 1873 1875 1877 1879 1881 1883 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 Lieutenant gubernatorial elections 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1966 1970 Secretary of State elections 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 State Auditor elections 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 Attorney General elections 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 Legislative elections Senate elections 1976 1980 1982 1986 1990 1992 1996 2000 2002 2006 2010 2012 2016 2020 House of Representatives elections 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 Ballot questions 2012 Amendment 1 Amendment 2 Special elections Senate House of Representatives
Federal elections Presidential elections 1860 1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 Senate elections Class 1 1982 1988 1994 2000 2006 2012 2018 Class 2 1978 1984 1990 1996 2002 2008 2014 2020 House of Representatives elections 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Municipal elections Minneapolis General elections 2005 2009 2013 2017 Mayoral elections 2009 2013 2017 City Council elections 2009 2013 2017 Board of Estimate and Taxation elections 2009 2013 Park and Recreation Board elections 2009 2013 Saint Paul Mayoral elections 2005 2009 2013