Democrat McCollum wins race to represent east metro in Congress

Democrat U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, Minnesota’s longest-serving member of Congress, won her race early Wednesday morning and will serve a 13th term representing her east metro district.

At 1:30 a.m., McCollum had a substantial lead with nearly 100% of the results in.

The race was a rematch with Republican candidate May Lor Xiong. The Fourth Congressional District covers Ramsey County and much of Washington County.

McCollum is the dean of Minnesota’s congressional delegation and the lead Democrat on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Her campaign emphasized the environment; gun safety measures, including a ban on assault weapons and required background checks for gun purchases; strengthening the Affordable Care Act; and protecting reproductive rights, among other progressive policies.

Xiong was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and moved to the United States at age 8. She is the first Hmong American to win a Republican primary in the U.S.

Her background includes work as a St. Paul public school teacher. Her campaign focused on issues including securing the southern border, inflation and education. Xiong told the Star Tribune in a voter guide interview that she believes abortion should be under state jurisdiction.

Their race was not on political forecasters’ lists as one to watch. In the previous three elections, McCollum has won more than 60% of the vote. In 2022, McCollum won with 68% of the vote compared to Xiong’s 32%. While the district has changed shape over time with redistricting, it has long centered around DFL-stronghold St. Paul and has not been represented by a Republican since the 1940s.

Federal campaign finance data show McCollum significantly outraised and outspent Xiong.