Who's In the Race

The Minnesota's 6th U.S. House District race pits Democrat Doug Chapin against incumbent Republican Tom Emmer. ​

Emmer has represented the district since 2015, previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2004 to 2008, and practiced law for about 20 years before Congress. Chapin is an attorney, educator, and election-administration expert who served as elections counsel to Democrats on the U.S. Senate Rules Committee and led elections initiatives at The Pew Charitable Trusts for more than a decade.

Emmer won the Republican primary on Aug. 11 with about 81 percent of the vote over Mike Foley. Chapin won the Democratic primary on Aug. 11; the certified results do not yet include a vote-share percentage for that contest. The general election ballot also includes Independent Party candidates.

What They Stand For

Emmer says he is focused on "fighting the affordability crisis," with lower costs for groceries, gas, and electricity; more domestic energy production; and tax relief, including no federal tax on tips or overtime, according to his campaign website. He's also called for:

Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and requiring states to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls, per the same campaign site. He has supported stronger border enforcement, including H.R. 2, and deporting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes in the United States, according to his campaign website. His campaign site says he has supported school-choice policies, greater authority for parents and local school boards, and ending the U.S. Department of Education. He has argued that local authorities should make data-center decisions and that communities should have accurate information about potential water and electricity impacts, according to St. Cloud Live.

Chapin has proposed reclaiming Congress's authority over spending, taxes, tariffs, and war decisions, according to his campaign website. He has supported "Medicare for All" or a public option, saying patients and providers, not for-profit insurers, should control health care, per the same site. He has supported reversing cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and fully funding both programs, according to his campaign website. His campaign site says he has supported eliminating the cap on Social Security payroll taxes so higher-income earners contribute more toward retirement benefits. He has supported withholding ICE funding and dismantling the agency, saying on his campaign website, "The federal invasion of Minnesota is an outrage."

The Money Behind the Race

Tom Emmer raised about $9.8 million through July 22 and had about $4.5 million in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Doug Chapin raised about $439,000 through July 22 and had about $70,000 in cash on hand, with $50,000 in debt, per FEC filings. Outside spending in the race totaled just $547 as of Oct. 8, all of it spent by the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in opposition to Emmer.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Republican" as of Sept. 25; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Republican" as of Sept. 29; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans a 95.96 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 8.

Emmer carried the 6th District with about 62 percent of the vote in 2022 and about 62 percent again in 2024. Statewide, Democrats and Republicans each won four of Minnesota's eight U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. Kamala Harris carried Minnesota in the 2024 presidential election with about 51 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district can register to vote or update their registration before the Tuesday, Oct. 13 advance deadline; Minnesota also allows registration at the polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State. Absentee in-person voting begins Friday, Sept. 18, and a separate early-voting period opens Friday, Oct. 16; the last day to vote early in person is Monday, Nov. 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State. Mail-ballot applications are due by Monday, Nov. 2, one day before Election Day, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State. Polls on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., per Minnesota Statute § 204C.05.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article