Tammy Lee

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.

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.

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

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