Betty McCollum is headed back to Washington. CBS News projected Tuesday night that the longtime St. Paul-area congresswoman won reelection in Minnesota's 4th Congressional District, defeating Republican nominee Paul Wikstrom, an engineer making his first run for political office.
The call came as part of statewide election coverage, with CBS News projecting McCollum's victory in a district that covers St. Paul, the state capital, along with surrounding suburbs in Ramsey and Washington counties. The race was one of several Minnesota contests still being watched closely on election night, and as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, McCollum and Wikstrom were among the candidates still waiting on the first results to come in, according to InForum.
Minnesota's general election took place Tuesday, Nov. 3, per FOX 9's election coverage. The outlet also described the 4th District as spanning the western Twin Cities metro area, including those same Ramsey and Washington County suburbs. MPR News similarly characterized the district as anchored in St. Paul and its surrounding communities, and noted that McCollum is the longest-serving member of Minnesota's congressional delegation.
A Two-Decade Hold on the Seat
McCollum has represented the 4th District since 2001, a tenure that InForum notes includes St. Paul and the counties north and east of the city. Before heading to Congress, she served in the Minnesota House from 1993 to 2000 and, earlier still, on the North St. Paul City Council. She lives in St. Paul and has two adult children.
In Congress, McCollum serves on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, including its Defense and Interior-Environment subcommittees. Her path back to the general election this cycle included a win in the August primary against Aswar Rahman, and the Minnesota DFL Party endorsed her at its state convention in May.
Wikstrom's Outsider Pitch
Wikstrom, an engineer with no prior political experience, framed himself throughout the campaign as a political outsider. According to InForum, he promised voters a Washington that “spends wisely and is fair to taxpayers.” He also said his campaign aimed to build an efficient federal government, foster a more competitive economy, and strengthen Congress's approach to the country and its borders.
It wasn't the first time McCollum has turned back a Republican challenger in the district. In the 2024 general election, she defeated Republican May Lor Xiong, according to a Ballotpedia summary of that race, continuing a streak that now stretches back more than two decades in the St. Paul-anchored seat.
