2008Final results
2008 election for Minnesota's 3rd District
U.S. House · Minnesota
Erik Paulsen (R) won with 48.5% of the vote, defeating Ashwin Madia (D) by 7.6 points.
Erik PaulsenRepublican · winner
48.5%178,932
Ashwin MadiaDemocrat
40.9%150,787
David DillonIndependent
10.6%38,970
369,104 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2008
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Ashwin MadiaErik Paulsen
$2.7M
Raised by the campaign
$2.8M
$2.7M
Spent by the campaign
$2.7M
$8.8K
Cash on hand
$36.5K
Other candidates' campaigns: David Dillon $161.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008