Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Walz won a second term in his southern Minnesota district, turning back challenger Brian Davis.

It was a race of talented men. They also were from the two most populous cities in District 1.

The high school teacher and retired command sergeant major defeated the Mayo Clinic physician and nuclear engineer by nearly double the votes. Walz, D-Mankato, had 207,748 votes as of press time, and Davis, R-Rochester, had 109,242. Walz had 63 percent of the vote and Davis had 33 percent.

Independence Party candidate Gregory Mikkelson had 14,903 votes, or 4 percent.

Two years ago Walz pulled off an upset of six-term Rochester Republican Gil Gutknecht. The national election handed gains to the Democrats in the House and Senate.

It was the first shot at political office for Davis, who previously had been the Olmsted County Republican Party treasurer. Davis beat out Owatonna state Sen. Dick Day to win the nomination.