Erik Paulsen

As expected, Dr. Maureen Hackett has officially entered the race to challenge Rep. Erik Paulsen in the Third Congressional District. A psychiatrist who served in the Air Force for seven years, Hackett announced her candidacy on her website and in an email to supporters.

Michele Bachmann is the most politically vulnerable member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation in 2010, according to the latest analysis from the Cook Political Report. The beltway publication lists the Sixth Congressional District seat as “leaning Republican.”

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen is one of 33 Republicans in Congress who have “a giant target on their back” after voting against an overhaul of health-care system Saturday. That’s according to the Democratic National Committee, which announced plans to target Paulsen and other GOP reps whose districts voted for President Obama in 2008.

The U.S. House of Representative has passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, by a vote of 220-215. In dramatic late-night action Saturday, the bill passed with two votes more than the minimum needed — and one of those votes was from a Republican: Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana.

“Is the door closed? No it’s not,” State Sen. Terri Bonoff said to Minnesota Public Radio’s Polinaut yesterday, clarifying what the DFLer told the Minnesota Independent last week about another run for Congress in the Third District: “The door is open.” U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s fellow Republicans at Minnesota Democrats Exposed jumped on the news: “Bonoff [...]

Freshman Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen is arguably the most vulnerable member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation. But so far he hasn’t attracted any challengers for 2010. That could change soon.

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen has raised nearly $1 million so far this year. The freshman Republican took in $318,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and had $725,000 in the bank, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, only ten have missed more votes this session than Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, according to the Washington Post’s tally. Bachmann has missed 105 votes, or 13.6 percent of all votes. Fellow Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen had the state’s best record, missing only six votes in the [...]

Two ventures that commodify U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann are demonstrating just how demanding the market can be in a down economy. The maker of a Bachmann action figure complains they’re not selling like hotcakes — or even like Sarah Palins. And the second issue of a Bachmann-themed comic book undergoes an intense review by a [...]

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, attached to a large military policy bill, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday by a vote of 281 to 146 — with support from Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen and opposition from Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson. Next Monday is the 11th anniversary of the murder of 21-year-old college [...]