In a rematch, GOP House Majority Whip Tom Emmer defeats Democrat Jeanne Hendricks

Rep. Tom Emmer, the No. 3 House Republican, won a sixth term Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jeanne Hendricks in a rematch.

With more than half the precincts reporting, Emmer held a commanding lead over Hendricks, who he defeated by more than 24 percentage points in 2022.

“Thank you to everyone in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District for entrusting me with their vote once again,” Emmer said in a statement. “It’s an honor to represent you in our nation’s capital, and I look forward to continue delivering on our America First agenda to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.”

The House majority whip called into the Minnesota Republican Party election night watch party from Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where he was posted with former President Donald Trump to watch the returns.

“Keep in mind, you are going to flip the Minnesota House of Representatives,” Emmer said. He also predicted victories for incumbent GOP Reps. Pete Stauber, Michelle Fishbach, Brad Finstad — and challenger Joe Teirab, who wound up losing to DFL Rep. Angie Craig.

Emmer had a significant fundraising advantage over Hendricks, a nurse anesthetist. He raised more than $8 million compared to Hendricks, who raised less than six figures.

Emmer became House majority whip shortly after the 2022 midterms and ran for speaker the following year after Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the speaker’s post.

But Emmer’s ascension in the House was halted largely by former President Donald Trump, who along with his allies had a hand in sinking Emmer’s chances. Their relationship since appears to have come full circle, with Emmer becoming one of Trump’s chief defenders.

A resident of Delano, Emmer sits on the House Committee on Financial Services as well as the Subcommittee on Digital Assets Financial Technology and the Inclusion Subcommittee on Capital Markets.

The Sixth District includes most or all of Anoka, Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties.

Staff writer Christopher Vondracek contributed to this story.