Paulsen, Bonoff Spend Election Day With Voters

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – One of the most closely watched races in Minnesota and the nation is the struggle between Rep. Erik Paulsen and challenger Terri Bonoff in the 3rd Congressional District.

Outside adversities have boosted spending in the race for suburban Minneapolis seat to $10 million. Paulsen and the Republicans have tried to paint Bonoff as an out-of-touch liberal. Bonoff and the Democrats, on the other hand, have tried to tie the conservative congressman to GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.

If re-elected, Paulsen would be serving his fifth term in Congress. On Election Day, he was in Hamel, chatting with voters at Peg's Countryside Café.

Over the last year, Paulsen has waffled on Trump, a controversial candidate among Minnesota Republicans.

At first, Paulsen said he'd support his party's nominee. However, after the Access Hollywood video surfaced, showing Trump using disparaging and vulgar language toward women, the congressman said he couldn't back the flamboyant businessman. Instead, he said he was write in the candidate he supported in the primaries: Marco Rubio.

Bonoff, a state senator with more than a decade of experience, spent Election Day with voters. She is seeking the 3rd District seat for a second time. In 2008, she tried to run for the office, but she failed to get the DFL endorsement.

The 3rd District is traditionally conservative, but it has become increasingly moderate, as President Barack Obama carried it in the 2012 election.

The district covers many of Minneapolis' western suburbs, stretching from Maple Grove in the north to Eden Prairie in the southwest.