ST. CLOUD — Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District has been colored red since 2003.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer has represented the district — which includes Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, and Anoka counties — since 2015. Republican Michele Bachmann was the representative from 2007 to 2015; before that, Mark Kennedy held the seat from 2003 to 2007.

The last Democrat to represent the district was Bill Luther, of Stillwater, who served from 1995 to 2003, when district boundaries were last adjusted.

The DFL hopes, after so many lackluster efforts against their Republican counterparts, voters might be ready for change.

“We really want to connect with people and see where they’re coming from,” Chantal Oechsle, DFL 6th Congressional District chair, said during a Saturday, Oct

See Full Page