Michele Bachmann, a Republican who has drawn national attention for her conservative stances, fiery comments and her decision to start a Tea Party Caucus in Congress, has consistently polled ahead in her re-election effort. But Tarryl Clark, a state senator and member of the DFL (Minnesota’s version of the Democratic party), is by no means sitting back, and has come to portray Ms. Bachmann as someone more interested in gaining national fame than representing this Minnesota district. Both candidates have raised huge sums, and this is expected to be one of the biggest spending races around.

— Monica Davey