Former Minnesota state Sen. Matt Little secured the Democratic nomination in the state's 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, according to Decision Desk HQ projections, setting up a high-stakes November showdown with Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt for the seat being vacated by Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.).
Little emerged victorious from a three-way primary against state Sen. Matt Klein and state Rep. Kaela Berg. The contest drew significant attention as the only open House seat in Minnesota, with Craig's decision to run for the Senate leaving a competitive vacancy that Republicans are eyeing for a potential pickup.
The district, which encompasses a politically diverse swath of southern Minnesota—including Twin Cities suburbs and rural communities—has been a battleground for years. Craig has held the seat since 2019, but the GOP previously controlled it for over two decades, underscoring the district's swing nature.
Little, a former mayor of Lakeville, served in the state Senate from 2017 to 2021, when he lost his reelection bid. His campaign emphasized his ability to bridge the district's political divide. At a Tuesday debate at Farmfest in Morgan, Minn., Little said, "I can talk to everybody, I can talk to a farmer and I can talk to a super liberal person in Minneapolis, and we are going to get it done for you."
Klein, who has been in the state Senate since 2017, outraised Little significantly. Campaign finance records show Klein raised over $1 million and had nearly $300,000 cash on hand, while Little raised more than $700,000 and had about $130,000 in the bank. Both Democrats outraised Pratt, who brought in roughly $400,000 with over $250,000 cash on hand.
Despite the fundraising gap, Little's victory reflects his appeal to moderate voters, a key asset in a district that often swings between parties. The Cook Political Report rates the general election as "likely Democrat," but Republicans are hopeful that Pratt can flip the seat with Craig's departure.
The race is part of a broader national narrative of competitive House contests. In neighboring states, similar primaries are shaping the landscape, such as Wisconsin's 3rd District primary testing Democratic strength, and Minnesota's Senate primary where Craig is competing for the Democratic nod.
As November approaches, Little and Pratt will vie for a district that has become a microcosm of national political divisions. With Craig's seat open, both parties are investing heavily in what could be a bellwether race. Election monitors from the Justice Department have also been deployed to Minnesota, reflecting the heightened scrutiny on election integrity in the state.
Little's victory sets the stage for a contentious campaign, with both candidates expected to focus on local issues and national party priorities. The outcome could have implications for control of the House, where every seat counts in a narrowly divided chamber.
