Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum was elected to her seventh term in the U.S. Congress, defeating Republican Tony Hernandez and Independence Party candidate Steve Carlson.

The Associated Press declared McCollum the winner less than an hour after the polls closed. In Ward 4, Precinct 6, which includes St. Thomas’ north campus, McCollum received 894 votes for 48.04 percent of the vote. In Ward 4, Precinct 7, which is south of Summit Avenue, she received 1,107 votes for 62.09 percent of the vote.

“I am so grateful to all the Minnesotans who have shown their support for me, so I’m going to continue to work for you and your families in the United States Congress,” McCollum said.

McCollum, who was strongly favored in this race, has represented Minnesota’s 4th District since 2000.

“I’m ready to work with any Democrat, Independent or Republican who wants to move this country forward and put the needs of America’s families first,” McCollum said.

Sophomore Ben Stuttgen was pleased with McCollum’s re-election.

“I’m not in her district, but I think it’s great (that she was re-elected),” Stuttgen said.

In her acceptance speech, McCollum told the audience members that she will “never stop fighting” for their rights.

“My victory tonight is your victory; I thank you,” McCollum said.

Senior Dylan Wallace has a history voting for McCollum.

“She actually graduated from my high school (South St. Paul) and I used to be in her district until it got re-districted,” Wallace said. “So I voted for her in the last two elections, and I would have voted for her again.”

During the 112th Congress, McCollum remained on the House Appropriations Committee; she is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

In addition to elected office, McCollum’s career has included teaching high school social science and working in retail sales and management. McCollum is a graduate of St. Catherine University and has two adult children.

Hernandez was born and raised in St. Paul with his Irish-Mexican family. He is a banker who decided to run after recovering from severe injuries sustained when a man threw a rock off an overpass onto his car on the freeway below.

Carlson is a writer and consultant with tea party ties in St. Paul and nearby suburbs.

McCollum grew up in South St. Paul, Minn., and she was elected as the second Minnesota woman to serve in Congress in 2000.

Hayley Schnell can be reached at schn3912@stthomas.edu.