Southeast Minnesota comprises the corner of the U.S. state of Minnesota south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area extending east, and part of the multi-state area known as the Driftless Area . Rochester is the largest city in the area; other major cities include Winona , Owatonna , Faribault , Northfield , Austin , and Red Wing .
6-464: Southeast Minnesota is part of the state's first and second congressional districts. Culturally, it is distinct from the Twin Cities in being generally more conservative and staid, with several more diverse areas, such as the college towns of Northfield and Winona . However, the area has become more diverse and more politically competitive. Until 2006, the state's only Independence Party legislator
12-587: Is represented by Republican Brad Finstad . From early statehood until after the 2000 census, the district covered only southeastern Minnesota . During the 20th century, it was generally considered solidly Republican , but it became more of a swing district in the late 20th to early 21st century. In 2004, John Kerry received 47% of the vote in the district. In 2006, Republican Representative Gil Gutknecht lost to Democrat Tim Walz . In March 2017, Walz announced that he would not run for reelection to Congress, and instead would run for governor of Minnesota . On paper,
18-609: The Whitewater River and Root River in the Driftless Area (one of the few parts of the state not eroded by glaciers in the last ice age ) are among the most visited locations. 44°N 92°W / 44°N 92°W / 44; -92 This Minnesota state location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Minnesota%27s 1st congressional district Minnesota's 1st congressional district extends across southern Minnesota from
24-514: The border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin . It is a primarily rural district built on a strong history of agriculture , though this is changing rapidly due to strong population growth in the Rochester combined statistical area. The district is also home to several of Minnesota's major mid-sized cities, including Rochester , Mankato , Winona , Austin , Owatonna , Albert Lea , Red Wing , New Ulm , Worthington , and Lake City . It
30-452: The district leans Republican, with a CPVI of R+7, but some recent elections have been among the closest in the nation, won by less than a single percentage point in both 2016 and 2018. In the 2022 general election, Republican Brad Finstad defeated the Democratic nominee by 11.5 points. His margin of victory was the largest of any candidate in the district since 2012 and the best showing for
36-634: Was from Southeast Minnesota, Sheila Kiscaden (IP-Rochester, now DFL-Rochester). Formerly a Republican, Kiscaden is now officially a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party . The area is one of several distinct regions of Minnesota . Additionally, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Waltz won the first congressional district in 2018. Many places in Southeast Minnesota, like Lanesboro , have become popular tourist destinations. The scenic Mississippi Valley to
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