Who's running in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Medicare for All.
Affordable childcare and tax breaks for everyday Americans.
A tax on the ultrawealthy and getting corporate and dark money out of politics.
Holding ICE accountable; he has called for replacing the agency.
Halting US military aid and imposing a weapons embargo on Israel, whose war in Gaza he has called genocidal.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Lakeville City Council from 2010, then mayor of Lakeville.
Minnesota state senator for District 58 from 2017 to 2021; lost reelection in 2020 to Republican Zach Duckworth.
Won the DFL state convention endorsement in May 2026 and the August 11 primary with about 47% to Matt Klein's 30% and Kaela Berg's 17%.
Says his campaign does not take private insurance or private prison money.
During Operation Metro Surge he followed and filmed federal immigration agents and posted the encounters online.
Endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Attorney General Keith Ellison, EMILYs List, Our Revolution and several unions, among others.
Arguments in favor
His primary win 'proves that even $3.5 million dollars of outside money couldn't buy this election' and that voters want someone who will 'stop Trump's corruption', 'hold ICE accountable' and 'make life affordable'.
— Matt Little, primary-night statement to KSTP
Medicare for All reaches across party lines in this district: farmers here pay $2,000 to $3,000 a month in premiums before their deductible.
— Matt Little, to WCCO/CBS Minnesota
He has already won in Republican-leaning places, as mayor of Lakeville and as state senator for a Republican-leaning district, and can 'talk to a farmer and… a super liberal person in Minneapolis'.
— Matt Little, at the Farmfest forum reported by The Hill and in remarks reported by MinnPost
Arguments against
'My opponent is not an Angie Craig Democrat. He's been endorsed by Bernie Sanders, Keith Ellison, he runs in circles with Ilhan Omar and Peggy Flanagan. He's on the extreme side of his party and that's not what the 2nd District is.'
— Eric Pratt, Republican opponent, to Jewish Insider (republished by VINnews)
His call to cut off military aid to Israel amounts to isolationism rather than alliance-building; 'we can't demonize our friends, we've got to support them.'
— Eric Pratt, Republican opponent, to Jewish Insider (republished by VINnews)
He mischaracterized his opponents' positions during the primary, in a combative campaign style.
— DFL primary opponents Matt Klein and Kaela Berg, at a January debate reported by MinnPost
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Little and Pratt will debate had not been reported.
How Little's healthcare plan would be financed was not detailed on his campaign site.
Making life more affordable and bringing 'accountability back to government'.
Cracking down on fraud in state-run programmes that receive federal funding.
Supporting law enforcement, including ICE.
Lower federal spending, economic growth and deregulation; opposes Medicare for All, arguing it drives up costs.
Supporting Israel as an ally and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Minnesota state senator since 2013, reelected in 2016, 2020 and 2022.
Former vice president at US Bank; former Prior Lake-Savage school board member.
Sponsored a law making Minnesota's teacher licensing system more flexible; says every bill he has passed had bipartisan support.
Won the district Republican endorsement with 65% of convention delegates and was unopposed in the August 11 primary.
Said in 2016 that he wished someone other than Donald Trump led his party; now says Trump's policies have helped many people.
A field director hired by his campaign resigned on September 10, 2026 after racist and violent social media posts were publicised; Pratt condemned the posts.
Arguments in favor
'This race is not about who can create the most noise. It is about who can make life more affordable, protect Minnesota families and bring accountability back to government. I have spent my career solving problems and delivering results.'
— Eric Pratt, primary-night statement to KSTP
As a banker and senior Senate Finance Committee member he has the skills to fight fraud in federally funded programmes: 'Everyone is pointing fingers at Tim Walz… But the question is, who is watching fraud from Washington?'
— Eric Pratt, to MinnPost
He is a pragmatic moderate 'more focused on trying to help my neighbors than play politics', which suits a suburban, evenly divided district — 'I might be boring enough to win this seat.'
— Eric Pratt, to Jewish Insider (republished by VINnews)
Arguments against
He hired a self-described 'White Christian Nationalist' with a record of racist and violent posts to lead his field team, which 'should disturb everyone'; 'this type of rhetoric from a candidate or their staff is unacceptable.'
— Matt Little, DFL opponent, at a state Capitol press conference reported by MPR News
Pratt should remove the staffer, because demonizing Jewish, Black and Muslim communities for political gain threatens the dignity and safety of every American.
— Imam Yusuf Abdulle, Islamic Association of North America, reported by MPR News
A third of Republican convention delegates backed a last-minute rival over him; grassroots activists who snubbed him regard him as establishment and not aligned enough with Trump.
— MinnPost reporting on the 2nd District Republican convention
What we couldn’t verify
Pratt's campaign website could not be loaded, so his positions come from interviews and statements.
The Pratt campaign did not answer MPR News's questions about why the staffer's public posts had not prevented his hiring.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat: DFL Rep. Angie Craig ran for the US Senate instead of reelection and lost the Senate primary to Peggy Flanagan. Minnesota held its primaries on August 11, 2026; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality with no runoff. The district uses the map adopted in 2022; no redistricting or map litigation affecting 2026 was found. Two candidates are on the ballot: DFL nominee Matt Little, a former state senator and Lakeville mayor who won a five-way primary with about 47% over state Sen. Matt Klein and state Rep. Kaela Berg, and Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt, who was unopposed after Tyler Kistner withdrew in April to return to active military duty and Jeremy Westby dropped out after the GOP convention. No minor-party or independent candidate was found on Ballotpedia's general election list. Roster from Wikipedia, Ballotpedia and MPR News's post-primary list. The district covers the southern Twin Cities suburbs and runs south nearly to Mankato, including all of Scott, Dakota and Le Sueur counties and parts of Rice and Washington counties. The Cook Political Report rates it likely Democratic.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Minnesota ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Minnesota Secretary of State.