Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
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Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A is represented byBen Davis (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Minnesota state representatives represented an average of42,610 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented39,663 residents.
About the chamber
Members of theMinnesota House of Representatives servetwo-year terms and are not subject toterm limits. Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after the election. When the first Monday in January falls on January 1, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.[1][2]
Qualifications
To be eligible to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives, a candidate must:[3]
- Be eligible to vote in Minnesota
- Be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office
- Be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election
- Be a resident of the legislative district for at least six months before the general election
- Have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
- Participated in the party's most recent precinct caucuses, or intend to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next general election (if major party candidate)
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2025[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $51,750/year | $86/day |
Vacancies
Vacancies in theMinnesota State Legislature are filled through election. If there are more than 150 days before the next state general election, and the legislature will not be in session before the results are canvassed, then any vacancy is filled at the next state general election.[5][6]
If the vacancy happens during the legislative session, thegovernor has five days to issue a writ calling for a special election. The election must take place no more than 35 days after the issuance of the writ. If the legislature is out of session and there are fewer than 150 days before the next state general election, the governor must call for a special election so the winner of the election can take office when the legislature reconvenes.[6][7]
See sources:Minnesota Cons. Art. 4, § 4 andMinnesota Stat. § 204D.19
2016 pivot county
This district was one of 710 state legislative districts that, based on boundaries adopted after the 2010 census, intersected with one or morePivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted forDonald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012.
The 206 Pivot Counties were located in 34 states. Iowa, with 31, had the most such counties. At that time, the partisan makeup ofstate legislative districts intersecting with Pivot Counties was slightly more Republican than theoverall partisan makeup of state legislatures throughout the country.[8]
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
Minnesota enacted new legislative district boundaries on February 15, 2022, when a special judicial redistricting panel issued an order adopting final maps.Minnesota Supreme Court Chief JusticeLorie Gildea established the five-judge special redistricting panel in June 2021 to hear legal challenges regarding redistricting and adopt maps should the legislature not agree on them. The panel consisted of two state court of appeals justices and three state district court judges. Republican governors originally appointed two of the five justices, Democratic governors originally appointed two, and former Gov. Jesse Ventura (Reform) originally appointed one justice.
On June 2, 2022, Gov.Tim Walz (D) signed legislation containing adjustments to Senate Districts 15 and 16 as well as to House Districts 15, 16, and 58.[9] The changes were effective for the2022 elections. On May 24, 2023, Walz signed a state budget bill that included modifications to Senate Districts 9, 12, 17, and 24.[10][11][12] The changes were effective for the2024 elections.
How does redistricting in Minnesota work? In Minnesota, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by theMinnesota State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.[13]
TheMinnesota Constitution requires "that state Senate districts be contiguous, and that Representative districts be nested within Senate districts." State statutes apply contiguity requirements to all congressional and state legislative districts. Furthermore, state statutes stipulate that political subdivisions should not be divided "more than necessary."[13]
Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2026
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2026
There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.
2024
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
IncumbentBen Davis defeatedEarl Butenhoff in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ben Davis (R) | 66.0 | 17,765 |
| Earl Butenhoff (D) | 33.9 | 9,116 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 19 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 26,900 | ||
 = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled.Earl Butenhoff advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. IncumbentBen Davis advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A.
2022
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
Ben Davis defeatedRichard Blake in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben Davis (R) | 62.3 | 13,657 |
| Richard Blake (D) | 37.7 | 8,258 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 7 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 21,922 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled.Richard Blake advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled.Ben Davis advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A.
2020
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
IncumbentJulie Sandstede defeatedRobert Farnsworth in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Julie Sandstede (D) | 50.0 | 10,777 |
 | Robert Farnsworth (R) | 49.9 | 10,747 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 24 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 21,548 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. IncumbentJulie Sandstede advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled.Robert Farnsworth advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A.
2018
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
IncumbentJulie Sandstede defeatedGuy Anderson in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Sandstede (D) | 62.0 | 11,055 |
| Guy Anderson (R) | 37.8 | 6,746 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 23 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 17,824 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
IncumbentJulie Sandstede advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Sandstede |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A
Guy Anderson advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Guy Anderson | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.IncumbentCarly Melin (D) did not seek re-election.
Julie Sandstede defeatedRobert Farnsworth in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A general election.[14][15]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 6A General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Julie Sandstede | 59.08% | 11,852 | |
| Republican | Robert Farnsworth | 40.92% | 8,209 | |
| Total Votes | 20,061 | |||
| Source:Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
Julie Sandstede defeatedTom Whiteside,Mike Thompson, andBen DeNucci in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A Democratic primary.[16][17]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 6A Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Julie Sandstede | 35.61% | 1,676 | |
| Democratic | Tom Whiteside | 31.19% | 1,468 | |
| Democratic | Mike Thompson | 5.50% | 259 | |
| Democratic | Ben DeNucci | 27.69% | 1,303 | |
| Total Votes | 4,706 | |||
Robert Farnsworth ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A Republican primary.[16][17]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 6A Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Robert Farnsworth (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, and a general election took place onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. IncumbentCarly Melin defeatedJohn Finken in the Democratic primary.Roger Weber was unopposed in the Republican primary. Melin defeated Weber in the general election.[18][19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Carly MelinIncumbent | 69.4% | 11,257 | |
| Republican | Roger Weber | 30.4% | 4,930 | |
| Write-in | Write-in | 0.2% | 37 | |
| Total Votes | 16,224 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Carly MelinIncumbent | 80% | 2,979 |
| John Finken | 20% | 743 |
| Total Votes | 3,722 | |
2012
Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election onNovember 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 5, 2012. IncumbentCarly Melin (D) defeatedRoger Weber (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.[21][22]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Carly MelinIncumbent | 70.9% | 14,589 | |
| Republican | Roger Weber | 29.1% | 5,989 | |
| Total Votes | 20,578 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A raised a total of $744,678. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $21,902 on average. All figures come fromFollow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $46,379 | 2 | $23,190 |
| 2022 | $71,935 | 2 | $35,968 |
| 2020 | $62,719 | 2 | $31,360 |
| 2018 | $40,775 | 2 | $20,388 |
| 2016 | $88,487 | 5 | $17,697 |
| 2014 | $55,333 | 3 | $18,444 |
| 2012 | $42,552 | 2 | $21,276 |
| 2010 | $28,849 | 2 | $14,425 |
| 2008 | $37,998 | 2 | $18,999 |
| 2006 | $30,905 | 1 | $30,905 |
| 2004 | $113,751 | 3 | $37,917 |
| 2002 | $105,206 | 7 | $15,029 |
| 2000 | $19,788 | 1 | $19,788 |
| Total | $744,678 | 34 | $21,902 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.05," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.011," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Qualifications," accessed May 22, 2025
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
- ↑Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "Constitution of the State of Minnesota," accessed February 12, 2021(Article 4, Section 4)
- ↑6.06.1Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "2020 Minnesota Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021(Statute 204D.19 (1)-(3))
- ↑Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "2020 Minnesota Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021(Statute 204B.13)
- ↑The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
- ↑Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedchange2 - ↑13.013.1All About Redistricting, "Minnesota," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑16.016.1Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑17.017.1Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Canvassing Board Report," August 19, 2014
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official 2012 General Election Results," accessed November 12, 2013
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary Election Results," accessed November 12, 2013
