Democrat Matt Little has secured victory in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). Little, a former state senator and Lakeville mayor, defeated Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt in Tuesday's election to fill the seat left open by retiring Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.). Craig had sought a Senate bid but lost the Democratic primary to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
With 69% of the vote counted as of 11:05 p.m. EST, Little led Pratt by a commanding margin of 59.8% to 40.2%. The result underscores the district's steady shift to the left in recent cycles, even as Republicans mounted efforts to court suburban voters in the North Star State.
Little ran a progressive campaign, advocating for "Medicare for All," overhauling federal immigration enforcement, and imposing a moratorium on new data centers. He also sharply criticized President Trump's handling of the Iran conflict, arguing that the U.S. should withdraw from the war.
DDHQ's pre-election forecast gave Little a 96% chance of winning, compared to Pratt's 4%, reflecting the district's Democratic lean. Pratt, a four-term state senator, tried to position himself as an independent voice capable of bipartisan cooperation. His campaign emphasized lowering healthcare costs, cutting government waste, and leaving decisions about data center development to local officials.
The two former legislative colleagues clashed during an October debate over healthcare policy, Trump's foreign policy moves, and their respective records in the Minnesota Legislature. Their exchanges highlighted the stark ideological divide between the candidates on key national issues.
Little's win adds to a broader Democratic success in the region, as the party has made gains in suburban districts nationwide. This victory comes amid a series of Democratic flips that have bolstered the party's House majority hopes, including Mendoza's ouster of Ciscomani in Arizona and Turek's flip of an Iowa Senate seat.
With Little's victory, Democrats continue to solidify their control in the House, further blunting the Trump administration's legislative agenda. The seat was seen as a key pickup opportunity for Republicans, but the district's changing demographics and Little's progressive platform proved decisive.
As the new Congress convenes, Little is expected to align with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, pushing for ambitious healthcare reforms and a more restrained foreign policy. His win signals that suburban voters in Minnesota remain receptive to Democratic messages on these issues.
