For many of the county residents in the GOP and Democratic primary races for Congress, Tuesday will be the end.

Campaigns run with no outside funding, limited ties to the wider districts and miniscule media attention seem certain to spell defeat.

"If you're serious about running for office, you have to show you're somewhat viable as a candidate," said retired state senator Phil Jimeno of Brooklyn Park.

That means joining community associations, educating yourself on the issues and what Mr. Jimeno calls a necessary evil - raising money. The starting point for most campaigns is a quarter of a million dollars.

"We had...