Who's In The Race

Voters in St. Paul and its suburbs have been able to cast ballots at local election offices since Sept. 18 in a race that pits Minnesota's longest-serving member of Congress against a first-time candidate. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), the dean of the state's delegation, faces Republican Paul Wikstrom, an electrical engineer. ​

McCollum has represented Minnesota's 4th Congressional District, which covers St. Paul and parts of Ramsey and Washington counties, since 2001. She is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and served eight years in the Minnesota House. Wikstrom has spent more than 35 years in engineering and management jobs at Minnesota medical device and aerospace companies and has never held elected office.

McCollum won the Aug. 11 DFL primary with about 86% of the vote over Aswar Rahman. Wikstrom won the Republican primary with about 73% over Paul Xiong and Gene Rechtzigel.

What They Stand For

McCollum calls affordability her "top issue for action," from groceries and gas to housing and tuition, according to the Community Reporter. She is co-sponsoring the Social Security Expansion Act and backs federal grants for first-time homebuyers and "robust federal funding" for transit. She also wants "the richest Americans to pay their fair share of taxes" and has pledged to "hold ICE and Trump accountable."

Wikstrom pitches himself with a simple line: "I'm not a politician. I'm an engineer." His campaign calls for "mandatory audits for all major federal spending," no taxes on tips or overtime and an end to the estate tax. He would also require congressional approval of major regulations, apply a "one-in, two-out" rule to new ones and expand vocational training.

The Money Behind The Race

McCollum reported raising about $1.25 million this cycle through July 22 and had about $499,000 in the bank, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Wikstrom reported raising about $28,000 through the same date and had about $2,200 left.

Outside groups have reported spending just $10 in the race, from Sierra Club Independent Action in support of McCollum.

Race Outlook: Ratings And Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Democratic as of Sept. 25, and Inside Elections gives it the same rating as of Oct. 2. Sabato's Crystal Ball calls it Safe Democratic as of Sept. 29. On Kalshi, traders favored McCollum at about 95% as of Thursday, Oct. 8.

McCollum won about 68% of the vote in 2022 and about 67% in 2024. Democrats and Republicans each held four of Minnesota's eight House seats after both elections, and Kamala Harris carried the state with about 51% in 2024.

Voters can preregister online through Tuesday, Oct. 13, or register at the polls on Election Day with proof of residence. In-person absentee voting runs through Monday, Nov. 2, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

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