Rice County, whose polling results often reflect that of the broader nation, lived up to its reputation as a “bellwether” county in the 2024 presidential race. As the Electoral College map shifted further right, so did many precincts in Rice County, with notable gains for the Republican ticket in traditionally competitive areas.
Compared to the previous presidential results in 2020, Faribault and Lonsdale City each increased their Republican vote totals by 3%, according to election results provided by the Office of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. Similarly, Bridgewater saw an increase of 175 votes for the Republican candidate, jumping from 45.80% in 2020 to 70.34%. Northfield Ward 1 Precinct 1 was an outlier in this trend, gaining 364 votes for the Democratic Candidate as compared to 2020.
Faribault emerged as a Republican stronghold, with all four precincts delivering Republican Party majorities for the Trump-Vance ticket. Precinct 3 led the charge with 1,683 votes — 54.96% — for the Republican nominee. Precinct 1 recorded 1,432 votes or 58.50%, Precinct 2 had 1,097 votes or 52.21%, and Precinct 4 rounded out with 1,339 votes or 57.10%. Neighboring Lonsdale City also swung heavily red, posting 1,919 votes or 71.18% for the Republican candidate.
Other rural areas followed suit. Bridgewater saw a dramatic jump in votes for the Republican presidential candidate — 45.80% in 2020 to 70.34% in 2024. Cannon City, Erin Township, and Shieldsville similarly delivered commanding Republican majorities, with Erin Township leading at 72.84%. Smaller communities such as Morristown — 76.36% Republican — and Wheatland — 75.38% Republican — also showed strong support for presidential nominee Donald Trump.
While rural Rice County turned further right, Northfield remained a bastion of Democratic strength. Precinct 1 delivered 1,360 votes — 87.07% — for the Harris-Walz ticket, the highest percentage of Democratic support in the county. Overall, Northfield precincts held firm for Democrats, with the exception for Precinct 2, which actually favored the Republican candidate with 56.33% of the vote.
Dundas also contributed to Democratic gains, with 53.47% of its votes going toward Harris-Walz, an increase of nine percentage points since 2020.
Despite Northfield and Dundas staying blue, Rice County as a whole leaned Republican. Townships like Walcott, Warsaw, and Webster exemplified the broader trend toward the GOP, solidifying the Republican position and reflecting the national electoral map’s rightward trajectory.
