Minnesota – 6th District

Democrat Republican

Candidate Patty Wetterling Michele Bachmann

Funds On Hand $562,000 $383,000
Recent Poll 43% 38%
Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy is leaving this seat to run for U.S. Senate. In 2004, Kennedy faced a challenge from child
advocate Patty Wetterling. He defeated her 54% to 46%. This cycle, Wetterling is once again the Democratic nominee.
Her opponent, state Sen. Bachmann, represents the 52nd District, in the eastern portion of the 6th District. The district
leans somewhat Republican, but Wetterling is a well-regarded and well-known quantity here, and Bachmann may be too
conservative for this suburban constituency. The Cook Political Report ranks this race a “Toss-Up.”

The District
The 6th District encompasses the
growing northern suburbs of the
Twin Cities area, including all or
portions of Anoka, Benton,
Sherburne, Stearns, Washington,
and Wright counties. The largest
city is St. Cloud. The district is
95% white and mostly middle-
class. While John Kerry won the
2004 presidential election in
Minnesota, Bush won the 6th
District 57% to 42%.

About Patty Wetterling

Patty Wetterling is a nationally-
recognized child safety advocate
who got involved in public policy after the abduction of her son Jacob in 1989. She and her husband co-founded the Jacob
Wetterling Foundation, which works to educate lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, schools and communities about
child safety. This spring, she decided to run a second time in the 6th District. In her race, Wetterling is stressing raising the
minimum wage, protecting Social Security, improving education, and ensuring full funding for veterans’ health care. She
has also supported a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. www.pattywetterling.com

About Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann boasts on her campaign website of “a determination to incite conservative change,” and her positions
on the issues reflect that. She is an outspoken opponent of reproductive rights and a die-hard supporter of “free-market-
driven” Republican policies on Social Security, health care, the estate tax, and education. Bachmann has received
campaign assistance from the D.C. Republican establishment, including Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader Boehner, as
well as Dick Cheney and Karl Rove. www.michelebachmann.com

Fundraising and Polling

As of June 30 Wetterling reported total fundraising of $818,000, with just over $562,000 on hand. Bachmann reported
total receipts of nearly $741,000, with $383,000 on hand. There has been no recent public polling in this race. A January
poll performed by the Mellman Group (D) put Wetterling ahead of Bachmann 43% to 38%. In that same poll, Bush’s
approval rating in the district fell to 40%.

Sources: www.washingtonpost.com, www.centerforpolitics.org, www.fec.gov, http://markkennedy.house.gov/,

http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us,www.fec.gov

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION http://political.moveon.org

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.