 The seat has elected candidates of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) since 1962 and was rated "Safe Democratic" by CQ Politics.Sabo's surprising announcement in March 2006 prompted many area Democrats to enter the race.While State Rep. Keith Ellison received the party's endorsement, he was not backed by Sabo and faced a stiff primary competition from former Sabo aide Mike Erlandson, among others.