WASHINGTON – Former Lakeville Mayor Matt Little defeated Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt to be the next representative to Congress from the 2nd District.
The progressive Democrat’s decisive victory over Pratt in what was once considered a “purple” swing district shows the changing political demographics in the Twin Cities suburbs.
Little’s victory may also be a result of what was a massive Democratic “wave” as voters rejecting GOP candidates said corruption and the ever-rising cost-of-living were key concerns.
The election was also a referendum on President Donald Trump.
Democrats handily wrested the U.S. House and U.S. Senate from the GOP and picked up gubernatorial seats, as well.
The 2nd Congressional District is represented by Rep. Angie Craig, a Democrat. But the seat became open after Craig preferred to run for the U.S. Senate. Craig was roundly defeated in that contest for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s seat in August’s Democratic primary by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Little and Pratt differed on many things, including health care and how to bolster the Social Security Trust Fund before benefits are forced to be cut.
A banker and self-described “numbers nerd,” Pratt could completely avoid Trump’s shadow, even as he differed with the president on several key issues, including global tariffs.
Pratt’s campaign also suffered from a revelation that its field director had created social media posts praising Adolf Hitler.
Little, meanwhile, is an attorney who will join a growing number of U.S. House progressives who were elected Tuesday night.
His campaign was propelled by attention he gained during Operation Metro Surge, when he shadowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and documented these encounters on social media to protest local raids.
The encounters escalated to a point where federal agents followed him back to his home.
A proponent of “Medicare for All” and reigning in federal immigration agencies, Little said he would like to serve on the House Oversight and Government Affairs committee.
If Democrats are successful in taking the House, that panel, which has held high-profile hearings on Trump’s political adversaries, will turn to investigations of the president, his family and his administration.
Meanwhile, incumbent Rep. Brad Finstad, D-1st District, appeared headed for defeat, with Democrat Jake Johnson up by 324 votes with 100 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday. There will be a recount.
A high school math teacher and political neophyte, Johnson nevertheless ran a vigorous campaign and was able to compete with Finstad in raising campaign money.
In the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Kelly Morrison, a Democrat who was first elected to Congress two years ago, won her first reelection against Republican Tyler Bass.
Rep. Betty McCollum, D-4th District, also vanquished her Republican opponent Paul Wikstrom, an engineer with an aerospace firm.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-5th District, whose residence in Washington, D.C., was raided by federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month on suspicions – without proof – of immigration fraud, was also returned to a fifth term in office.
Omar’s GOP opponent was retired state patrolman John Nagel.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-7th District, prevailed over Democrat Eric Osberg.
And Rep. Tom Emmer, R-6th District defeated retired University of Minnesota professor Doug Chapin when the race was finally called early Wednesday.
The race to represent the Iron Range in Congress was called for incumbent Rep. Pete Stauber, R-8th District, over Democratic challenger Trina Swanson.
Greater Minnesota reporter Brian Arola contributed to this story.
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