Economy, abortion on the minds on voters in Minnesota Second Congressional District
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The battle for Minnesota's Second Congressional District — which encompasses areas southeast of the metro — is the most competitive congressional race in the state this year. Democrat Angie Craig is seeking a fourth term and challenger Joe Teirab wants to deliver the district for Republicans for the first time in eight years.
The winner could help decide the balance of power in Washington, as the Republicans look to hold onto their narrow majority in the U.S. House and Democrats eye-flipping the chamber.
Craig widened her victory in 2022 compared to 2020 and nonpartisan election forecasters have pegged the race as "leans Democratic," which is a change from its "toss-up" status two years ago. A recent poll from KSTP found Craig with an eight-point lead over Teirab, 49% to his 41% with a margin of error of +/- 5.4%.
But voters who live there say it's still a purple district, a pivotal battleground where both campaigns will have to fight hard for every bit of support with two weeks to go until Election Day. Tens of thousands have already begun early voting, which started Sept. 20.
In a recent debate, the two sparred over abortion rights and the economy and political ads have flooded the airwaves in the final stretch until Nov. 5. High prices are top of mind for Kathy Reneaux, who said she voted for Republicans up and down the ticket — including Teirab — on Monday at Burnsville City Hall, an early voting location.
"The economy is a big thing. I'm ready to go to the grocery store and I hardly buy anything anymore because I'm so shocked at the prices," she said.
She was among many voters who cast their ballots early there Monday. Over the weekend, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made a stop in Minnesota to campaign for Craig, underscoring the district's importance in the battle for the U.S. House, said Steven Schier, emeritus professor of political science at Carleton College.
"Late in the campaign, the most important thing to note is what the campaigns are doing and what evidence they are putting out there," he said. "And the fact that Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Leader in the House, is showing up in the second district of Minnesota in late October, suggests that they see this race as more competitive than many people have."
Kate Adamek said Craig has her support.
"She's done a lot for the farmers, she's done a lot for the policemen. I really think she's really good," she told WCCO.
Meanwhile, Mahlon Bekedam believes the country is going in the wrong direction, citing the economy and illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border as top concerns. He said he supports Teirab because of his views on abortion rights.
"I'd say he's out there right against abortion. I think we should not legalize abortion," he said.
But for Sally Malowney, her top issue is protecting abortion access, so she said Craig and Democrats have her vote. She thinks the election will be close.
"I just think it's close all over. And I think it's going to be close here," she said.
Schier said the Second Congressional District is where all the "action" is this election when it comes to federal races on the ballot in Minnesota; others are not nearly as competitive. Part of the reason it's interesting to watch, he added, is because of the political make-up of the district.
"Of all the U.S. House districts in Minnesota, I think the Second District represents the diversity of Minnesota perhaps better than any of the others. I say that because you have inner ring suburbs that are reliably blue, and then to the southeast and southwestern parts of the district that ruby red rural areas," he said.