Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
- Election date: Nov. 3
- Registration deadline(s): Oct. 13
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: Yes
- Recount laws
- Early voting starts: Sept. 18
- Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): Nov. 3 (postmarked); Nov. 10 (received)
- Processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots
- Voter ID: No ID
- Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2022 →
← 2018
|
| Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District |
|---|
 |
| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: June 2, 2020 |
| Primary: August 11, 2020 General: November 3, 2020 Pre-election incumbent: Angie Craig (Democrat) |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Minnesota |
| Race ratings |
Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Democratic |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th Minnesota elections, 2020 U.S. Congress elections, 2020 U.S. Senate elections, 2020 U.S. House elections, 2020 |
Voters in Minnesota elected one member to the 2nd Congressional District in the general election on November 3, 2020.
A special election for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was scheduled for February 9, 2021, to be held in lieu of the November 2020 general election after the death of candidate Adam Weeks. On September 28, 2020, Angie Craig (D) filed a lawsuit challenging the election postponement, alleging it violated federal law. On October 9, 2020, Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright ruled that the election should be held in November as originally scheduled and on October 23, 2020, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to suspend the decision.[1][2] On October 27, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the ruling from Wright.[3]
| Candidate filing deadline | Primary election | General election |
|---|---|---|
Incumbent Angie Craig (D) filed to run for re-election. She was first elected in 2018 after challenging and defeating incumbent Jason Lewis (R), receiving 53 percent of the vote to Lewis' 47 percent.
The 2nd District was one of 31 U.S. House districts that Donald Trump (R) won in the 2016 presidential election and a Democratic candidate won in the 2018 midterm elections. During the presidential election, Trump received 47 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton's (D) 45 percent in the 2nd District.
Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District covers the south Twin Cities metro area and includes Dakota, Goodhue, Scott, and Wabasha counties and portions of Rice and Washington counties.[4]
This race was one of 89 congressional races that were decided by 10 percent or less in 2020.
For more information about the Democratic primary, click here.
For more information about the Republican primary, click here.
Post-election analysis
The table below compares the vote totals in the 2020 presidential election and 2020 U.S. House election for this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.
| Presidential and congressional election results, Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Presidential | U.S. House |
| Democratic candidate |
52.4 | 48.2 |
| Republican candidate |
45.5 | 45.9 |
| Difference | 6.9 | 2.3 |
Election procedure changes in 2020
Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.
Minnesota modified its absentee/mail-in voting and candidate filing procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:
- Absentee/mail-in voting: The absentee/mail-in ballot postmark deadline was extended to November 3, 2020; the receipt deadline was extended to November 10, 2020. The witness requirement for absentee/mail-in ballots was suspended.
- Candidate filing procedures: General election candidates were allowed to submit filing forms and petitions electronically.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 2
Incumbent Angie Craig defeated Tyler Kistner and Adam Weeks (Unofficially withdrew) in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 2 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Angie Craig (D) | 48.2 | 204,534 |
 | Tyler Kistner (R)  | 45.9 | 194,954 | |
| Adam Weeks (Legal Marijuana Now Party) (Unofficially withdrew) | 5.8 | 24,751 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 273 | ||
| Total votes: 424,512 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Angie Craig advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Tyler Kistner advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Regina Barr (R)
- Edward Moritz (R)
- Kerry Zeiler (R)
- Rick Olson (R)
- Erika Cashin (R)
Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election
The Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election was canceled. Adam Weeks advanced from the Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2.
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
Nineteen of 87 Minnesota counties—21.8 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
| Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Trump margin of victory in 2016 | Obama margin of victory in 2012 | Obama margin of victory in 2008 | ||||
| Beltrami County, Minnesota | 9.72% | 9.89% | 10.15% | ||||
| Blue Earth County, Minnesota | 3.69% | 9.48% | 12.95% | ||||
| Chippewa County, Minnesota | 28.70% | 1.87% | 5.87% | ||||
| Clay County, Minnesota | 1.95% | 7.92% | 16.02% | ||||
| Fillmore County, Minnesota | 21.70% | 7.34% | 8.26% | ||||
| Freeborn County, Minnesota | 17.24% | 14.11% | 17.13% | ||||
| Houston County, Minnesota | 13.87% | 3.16% | 10.69% | ||||
| Itasca County, Minnesota | 16.35% | 9.83% | 12.92% | ||||
| Kittson County, Minnesota | 22.05% | 6.03% | 18.54% | ||||
| Koochiching County, Minnesota | 19.85% | 9.45% | 10.10% | ||||
| Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota | 25.60% | 0.90% | 5.92% | ||||
| Mahnomen County, Minnesota | 2.92% | 18.56% | 25.31% | ||||
| Mower County, Minnesota | 7.82% | 22.61% | 23.61% | ||||
| Nicollet County, Minnesota | 3.04% | 7.83% | 10.52% | ||||
| Norman County, Minnesota | 13.34% | 10.79% | 26.94% | ||||
| Rice County, Minnesota | 3.06% | 8.27% | 11.50% | ||||
| Swift County, Minnesota | 25.57% | 9.83% | 13.79% | ||||
| Traverse County, Minnesota | 23.30% | 4.44% | 5.41% | ||||
| Winona County, Minnesota | 2.90% | 12.85% | 19.09% | ||||
In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Minnesota with 46.4 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 44.9 percent. In presidential elections between 1860 and 2016, Minnesota voted Republican 50 percent of the time and Democratic 47.5 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Minnesota voted Democratic all five times.[5]
Presidential results by legislative district
The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Minnesota. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[6][7]
| In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 68 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 27.6 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 62 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 30.4 points. Clinton won 12 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections. |
| In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 66 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 12.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 72 out of 134 state House districts in Minnesota with an average margin of victory of 23.8 points. Trump won seven districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections. |
| 2016 presidential results by state House district | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Obama | Romney | 2012 Margin | Clinton | Trump | 2016 Margin | Party Control |
| 1A | 43.15% | 54.54% | R+11.4 | 27.87% | 64.99% | R+37.1 | R |
| 1B | 46.10% | 51.92% | R+5.8 | 31.45% | 61.37% | R+29.9 | R |
| 2A | 48.08% | 50.09% | R+2 | 33.59% | 60.04% | R+26.4 | R |
| 2B | 42.17% | 56.05% | R+13.9 | 29.64% | 64.36% | R+34.7 | R |
| 3A | 55.31% | 42.36% | D+13 | 43.14% | 49.65% | R+6.5 | D |
| 3B | 60.19% | 38.11% | D+22.1 | 50.13% | 42.59% | D+7.5 | D |
| 4A | 55.32% | 42.31% | D+13 | 48.97% | 41.71% | D+7.3 | D |
| 4B | 46.65% | 51.41% | R+4.8 | 35.41% | 57.18% | R+21.8 | D |
| 5A | 52.05% | 45.83% | D+6.2 | 39.67% | 51.97% | R+12.3 | R |
| 5B | 49.48% | 48.58% | D+0.9 | 35.93% | 57.00% | R+21.1 | R |
| 6A | 63.20% | 34.57% | D+28.6 | 44.68% | 47.85% | R+3.2 | D |
| 6B | 61.82% | 35.90% | D+25.9 | 45.05% | 47.77% | R+2.7 | D |
| 7A | 67.15% | 30.27% | D+36.9 | 62.12% | 28.28% | D+33.8 | D |
| 7B | 69.99% | 27.63% | D+42.4 | 59.01% | 32.66% | D+26.3 | D |
| 8A | 39.32% | 59.07% | R+19.8 | 31.05% | 62.92% | R+31.9 | R |
| 8B | 40.24% | 57.98% | R+17.7 | 27.72% | 65.66% | R+37.9 | R |
| 9A | 37.61% | 60.36% | R+22.7 | 23.48% | 70.76% | R+47.3 | R |
| 9B | 37.60% | 60.41% | R+22.8 | 21.44% | 73.05% | R+51.6 | R |
| 10A | 42.68% | 55.47% | R+12.8 | 31.71% | 61.41% | R+29.7 | R |
| 10B | 44.58% | 53.66% | R+9.1 | 31.38% | 62.81% | R+31.4 | R |
| 11A | 62.19% | 35.79% | D+26.4 | 46.93% | 45.13% | D+1.8 | D |
| 11B | 46.72% | 50.92% | R+4.2 | 31.58% | 61.39% | R+29.8 | R |
| 12A | 46.30% | 51.70% | R+5.4 | 32.87% | 59.48% | R+26.6 | R |
| 12B | 36.32% | 61.98% | R+25.7 | 23.78% | 70.60% | R+46.8 | R |
| 13A | 41.20% | 57.04% | R+15.8 | 29.40% | 63.98% | R+34.6 | R |
| 13B | 40.74% | 57.46% | R+16.7 | 29.76% | 63.36% | R+33.6 | R |
| 14A | 47.70% | 50.25% | R+2.6 | 40.14% | 51.73% | R+11.6 | R |
| 14B | 53.28% | 43.56% | D+9.7 | 43.47% | 46.88% | R+3.4 | R |
| 15A | 42.24% | 55.67% | R+13.4 | 26.60% | 66.72% | R+40.1 | R |
| 15B | 34.92% | 62.92% | R+28 | 21.90% | 71.37% | R+49.5 | R |
| 16A | 45.53% | 52.33% | R+6.8 | 31.31% | 60.77% | R+29.5 | R |
| 16B | 40.08% | 57.64% | R+17.6 | 26.83% | 64.99% | R+38.2 | R |
| 17A | 47.24% | 50.94% | R+3.7 | 29.82% | 63.25% | R+33.4 | R |
| 17B | 47.10% | 51.19% | R+4.1 | 34.89% | 57.60% | R+22.7 | R |
| 18A | 39.80% | 57.83% | R+18 | 26.88% | 65.04% | R+38.2 | R |
| 18B | 37.06% | 60.70% | R+23.6 | 25.23% | 67.02% | R+41.8 | R |
| 19A | 52.51% | 45.09% | D+7.4 | 43.51% | 47.62% | R+4.1 | D |
| 19B | 57.05% | 39.91% | D+17.1 | 48.70% | 40.94% | D+7.8 | D |
| 20A | 40.38% | 57.73% | R+17.4 | 30.47% | 62.58% | R+32.1 | R |
| 20B | 53.95% | 43.71% | D+10.2 | 47.02% | 45.86% | D+1.2 | D |
| 21A | 51.06% | 46.99% | D+4.1 | 40.39% | 51.63% | R+11.2 | R |
| 21B | 44.07% | 53.85% | R+9.8 | 30.94% | 61.07% | R+30.1 | R |
| 22A | 41.53% | 56.48% | R+14.9 | 26.80% | 66.15% | R+39.4 | R |
| 22B | 44.04% | 54.37% | R+10.3 | 30.63% | 63.03% | R+32.4 | R |
| 23A | 39.08% | 58.83% | R+19.8 | 26.82% | 66.32% | R+39.5 | R |
| 23B | 47.30% | 50.57% | R+3.3 | 32.70% | 59.47% | R+26.8 | R |
| 24A | 45.64% | 52.20% | R+6.6 | 33.70% | 57.84% | R+24.1 | R |
| 24B | 47.07% | 50.66% | R+3.6 | 33.44% | 58.77% | R+25.3 | R |
| 25A | 45.24% | 52.32% | R+7.1 | 37.03% | 52.94% | R+15.9 | R |
| 25B | 53.14% | 44.51% | D+8.6 | 50.23% | 40.22% | D+10 | D |
| 26A | 57.64% | 39.78% | D+17.9 | 54.11% | 36.72% | D+17.4 | D |
| 26B | 44.47% | 53.59% | R+9.1 | 38.48% | 53.17% | R+14.7 | R |
| 27A | 55.57% | 42.31% | D+13.3 | 37.42% | 55.76% | R+18.3 | R |
| 27B | 59.95% | 37.84% | D+22.1 | 41.96% | 50.58% | R+8.6 | D |
| 28A | 56.63% | 40.82% | D+15.8 | 46.44% | 44.13% | D+2.3 | D |
| 28B | 51.67% | 46.36% | D+5.3 | 37.30% | 55.31% | R+18 | R |
| 29A | 37.73% | 60.22% | R+22.5 | 28.82% | 63.10% | R+34.3 | R |
| 29B | 40.42% | 57.50% | R+17.1 | 30.71% | 61.38% | R+30.7 | R |
| 30A | 39.60% | 58.57% | R+19 | 30.48% | 61.61% | R+31.1 | R |
| 30B | 36.49% | 61.79% | R+25.3 | 29.58% | 62.31% | R+32.7 | R |
| 31A | 35.58% | 62.46% | R+26.9 | 23.94% | 69.10% | R+45.2 | R |
| 31B | 38.58% | 59.53% | R+20.9 | 29.00% | 63.74% | R+34.7 | R |
| 32A | 41.06% | 56.85% | R+15.8 | 28.13% | 64.23% | R+36.1 | R |
| 32B | 42.98% | 55.07% | R+12.1 | 31.50% | 60.69% | R+29.2 | R |
| 33A | 36.20% | 62.39% | R+26.2 | 37.84% | 54.78% | R+16.9 | R |
| 33B | 43.71% | 54.67% | R+11 | 46.18% | 45.68% | D+0.5 | R |
| 34A | 40.35% | 58.12% | R+17.8 | 40.80% | 51.26% | R+10.5 | R |
| 34B | 46.78% | 51.60% | R+4.8 | 47.91% | 43.62% | D+4.3 | R |
| 35A | 45.40% | 52.32% | R+6.9 | 37.77% | 53.46% | R+15.7 | R |
| 35B | 41.04% | 57.50% | R+16.5 | 36.48% | 55.65% | R+19.2 | R |
| 36A | 48.54% | 49.44% | R+0.9 | 44.09% | 47.07% | R+3 | R |
| 36B | 53.38% | 45.11% | D+8.3 | 52.16% | 40.08% | D+12.1 | D |
| 37A | 53.32% | 44.53% | D+8.8 | 45.38% | 46.05% | R+0.7 | D |
| 37B | 48.64% | 49.49% | R+0.9 | 43.74% | 48.04% | R+4.3 | R |
| 38A | 44.17% | 53.89% | R+9.7 | 40.36% | 51.11% | R+10.7 | R |
| 38B | 46.39% | 51.99% | R+5.6 | 45.39% | 46.56% | R+1.2 | R |
| 39A | 45.12% | 53.25% | R+8.1 | 40.85% | 51.57% | R+10.7 | R |
| 39B | 47.78% | 50.62% | R+2.8 | 45.97% | 46.25% | R+0.3 | R |
| 40A | 69.71% | 28.69% | D+41 | 67.81% | 26.13% | D+41.7 | D |
| 40B | 68.60% | 29.42% | D+39.2 | 65.29% | 27.68% | D+37.6 | D |
| 41A | 59.61% | 38.36% | D+21.2 | 55.79% | 35.28% | D+20.5 | D |
| 41B | 62.30% | 35.32% | D+27 | 62.11% | 29.12% | D+33 | D |
| 42A | 51.48% | 46.50% | D+5 | 52.61% | 38.39% | D+14.2 | R |
| 42B | 56.76% | 41.28% | D+15.5 | 56.05% | 35.37% | D+20.7 | D |
| 43A | 56.52% | 41.92% | D+14.6 | 54.01% | 38.15% | D+15.9 | D |
| 43B | 57.50% | 40.33% | D+17.2 | 52.35% | 39.35% | D+13 | D |
| 44A | 47.99% | 50.66% | R+2.7 | 53.47% | 38.83% | D+14.6 | R |
| 44B | 54.39% | 44.30% | D+10.1 | 57.27% | 35.36% | D+21.9 | D |
| 45A | 59.17% | 38.72% | D+20.5 | 58.13% | 33.53% | D+24.6 | D |
| 45B | 63.39% | 34.34% | D+29.1 | 64.02% | 27.43% | D+36.6 | D |
| 46A | 64.31% | 33.66% | D+30.7 | 66.50% | 25.81% | D+40.7 | D |
| 46B | 65.79% | 32.01% | D+33.8 | 68.45% | 23.31% | D+45.1 | D |
| 47A | 35.32% | 63.07% | R+27.7 | 31.29% | 60.91% | R+29.6 | R |
| 47B | 42.17% | 56.19% | R+14 | 44.19% | 47.17% | R+3 | R |
| 48A | 52.14% | 46.19% | D+5.9 | 55.55% | 36.50% | D+19.1 | D |
| 48B | 46.72% | 51.70% | R+5 | 53.09% | 39.54% | D+13.6 | R |
| 49A | 52.29% | 46.68% | D+5.6 | 60.37% | 32.60% | D+27.8 | R |
| 49B | 52.45% | 46.18% | D+6.3 | 56.50% | 36.35% | D+20.2 | D |
| 50A | 63.81% | 33.98% | D+29.8 | 61.93% | 29.97% | D+32 | D |
| 50B | 56.96% | 40.99% | D+16 | 55.51% | 36.29% | D+19.2 | D |
| 51A | 55.56% | 42.44% | D+13.1 | 54.45% | 37.27% | D+17.2 | D |
| 51B | 51.44% | 46.79% | D+4.7 | 54.17% | 37.06% | D+17.1 | D |
| 52A | 58.72% | 39.32% | D+19.4 | 56.76% | 34.99% | D+21.8 | D |
| 52B | 52.90% | 45.36% | D+7.5 | 49.95% | 42.08% | D+7.9 | R |
| 53A | 56.63% | 41.59% | D+15 | 54.59% | 37.63% | D+17 | D |
| 53B | 46.78% | 51.95% | R+5.2 | 50.81% | 42.01% | D+8.8 | R |
| 54A | 55.87% | 41.75% | D+14.1 | 46.83% | 43.55% | D+3.3 | R |
| 54B | 49.32% | 48.74% | D+0.6 | 42.76% | 48.63% | R+5.9 | R |
| 55A | 46.18% | 51.67% | R+5.5 | 43.39% | 47.89% | R+4.5 | R |
| 55B | 38.11% | 60.15% | R+22 | 34.43% | 57.98% | R+23.5 | R |
| 56A | 47.26% | 50.85% | R+3.6 | 47.12% | 44.13% | D+3 | R |
| 56B | 49.26% | 48.97% | D+0.3 | 48.62% | 43.89% | D+4.7 | R |
| 57A | 50.85% | 47.34% | D+3.5 | 49.06% | 42.78% | D+6.3 | D |
| 57B | 48.75% | 49.64% | R+0.9 | 48.21% | 43.72% | D+4.5 | R |
| 58A | 42.24% | 56.02% | R+13.8 | 40.36% | 51.99% | R+11.6 | R |
| 58B | 42.46% | 55.75% | R+13.3 | 34.86% | 57.04% | R+22.2 | R |
| 59A | 84.23% | 13.96% | D+70.3 | 78.85% | 13.74% | D+65.1 | D |
| 59B | 80.65% | 17.23% | D+63.4 | 79.46% | 13.04% | D+66.4 | D |
| 60A | 77.47% | 18.61% | D+58.9 | 76.38% | 14.48% | D+61.9 | D |
| 60B | 76.39% | 19.31% | D+57.1 | 79.57% | 11.88% | D+67.7 | D |
| 61A | 78.23% | 19.40% | D+58.8 | 81.47% | 12.06% | D+69.4 | D |
| 61B | 78.20% | 19.94% | D+58.3 | 81.29% | 12.45% | D+68.8 | D |
| 62A | 86.72% | 9.26% | D+77.5 | 84.08% | 7.57% | D+76.5 | D |
| 62B | 86.87% | 10.09% | D+76.8 | 85.70% | 6.89% | D+78.8 | D |
| 63A | 82.84% | 14.33% | D+68.5 | 81.97% | 10.62% | D+71.4 | D |
| 63B | 73.83% | 23.99% | D+49.8 | 73.80% | 18.58% | D+55.2 | D |
| 64A | 76.89% | 20.30% | D+56.6 | 78.82% | 13.58% | D+65.2 | D |
| 64B | 70.63% | 27.37% | D+43.3 | 74.41% | 18.39% | D+56 | D |
| 65A | 83.74% | 13.76% | D+70 | 80.78% | 12.13% | D+68.6 | D |
| 65B | 77.60% | 19.70% | D+57.9 | 74.28% | 17.59% | D+56.7 | D |
| 66A | 65.92% | 31.91% | D+34 | 67.89% | 23.85% | D+44 | D |
| 66B | 78.86% | 18.90% | D+60 | 76.62% | 15.90% | D+60.7 | D |
| 67A | 76.07% | 21.79% | D+54.3 | 70.99% | 21.62% | D+49.4 | D |
| 67B | 74.76% | 23.00% | D+51.8 | 70.67% | 22.02% | D+48.6 | D |
| Total | 52.84% | 45.12% | D+7.7 | 46.88% | 45.34% | D+1.5 | - |
| Source: Daily Kos | |||||||
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+2, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 2 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District the 221st most Republican nationally.[8]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.02. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.02 points toward that party.[9]
Race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[10]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[11][12][13]
| Race ratings: Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| November 3, 2020 | October 27, 2020 | October 20, 2020 | October 13, 2020 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | Solid Democratic | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | Likely Democratic | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season. | |||||||||
Noteworthy events
Rep. Angie Craig filed a lawsuit challenging election postponement
On September 28, 2020, Craig filed a lawsuit against Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (D) challenging the postponement of Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District election.[14] The suit alleged that the deferral is preempted by federal law, which says voters choose their congressional representatives in November general elections. Additionally, the suit claimed the election postponement notices put up in each precinct mislead voters into thinking their ballots will not be counted.[15] In a statement, Craig said, “the process currently in place would deprive Minnesotans of their seat at the table at a time when critical legislation affecting our state will be debated,” and they “are entitled to representation in Congress.”[16] Kistner released a statement saying, “my campaign will be intervening in the Craig campaign's lawsuit to ensure the bipartisan law is upheld and that the election proceeds in February, giving a voice to every Second District voter.”[17]
On October 9, 2020, Judge Wilhelmina Wright ruled that the election for District 2 in the U.S. House should be held in November as originally scheduled. Wright said in her ruling, "Given the overwhelming importance for Minnesota’s Second Congressional District voters to be able to vote in the November general election and to have uninterrupted representation in the United States Congress, the public interest weighs in favor of granting Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction."[18] Kistner said his campaign was appealing Judge Wright's decision. He said, "Because of the way this has played out, my campaign will be appealing Judge Wright's ruling to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to make sure that every Minnesotan has an opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choosing."[19]
On October 23, 2020, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to suspend the lower court's decision that the election be held in November.[20] Craig said in a statement, "My opponent’s effort to delay the upcoming election would have left the hardworking families of Minnesota’s second congressional district without a voice in Washington [...] I am grateful for the court's ruling this morning, which ensures that will not be the case."[21] Kistner said, "I urge all voters to participate in this election on November 3rd and help me send a clear message to Angie Craig that her political games and gamesmanship have run their course." He also said he would file an appeal with the United States Supreme Court.[22]
On October 27, 2020, the United States Supreme Court rejected Kistner's appeal. Neil Gorsuch, the justice who handles cases from Minnesota's federal courts, denied the emergency request.[23] Kistner wrote in a statement: "We appreciate the Supreme Court's timely response to our request. It's unfortunate that Angie Craig is continuing to silence and disenfranchise thousands of her own constituents."[24] Craig wrote, "Three different courts and five federal judges, including Neil Gorsuch, have now confirmed what we have known all along: that the voters of Minnesota's Second Congressional District deserve to have their voices heard as part of the November general election."[25]
District represented by a Democrat in 2020 and won by Donald Trump in 2016
This district was one of 30 Democratic-held U.S. House districts up in 2020 that Donald Trump (R) won in the 2016 presidential election. Most were expected to be among the House's most competitive elections in 2020.
| 2020 Democratic-held U.S. House districts won by Donald Trump in 2016 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Incumbent | Ran in 2020? | 2018 congressional margin | 2016 presidential margin | 2012 presidential margin | ||||||||
| Arizona's 1st | Tom O'Halleran |
Yes | Democrats+7.7 | Trump+1.1 | Romney+2.5 | ||||||||
| Georgia's 6th | Lucy McBath |
Yes | Democrats+1.0 | Trump+1.5 | Romney+23.3 | ||||||||
| Illinois' 14th | Lauren Underwood |
Yes | Democrats+5.0 | Trump+3.9 | Romney+10 | ||||||||
| Illinois' 17th | Cheri Bustos |
Yes | Democrats+24.2 | Trump+0.7 | Obama+17 | ||||||||
| Iowa's 1st | Abby Finkenauer |
Yes | Democrats+5.1 | Trump+3.5 | Obama+13.7 | ||||||||
| Iowa's 2nd | Dave Loebsack |
Retired | Democrats+5.2 | Trump+4.1 | Obama+13.1 | ||||||||
| Iowa's 3rd | Cindy Axne |
Yes | Democrats+2.2 | Trump+3.5 | Obama+4.2 | ||||||||
| Maine's 2nd | Jared Golden |
Yes | Democrats+1.3 | Trump+10.3 | Obama+8.6 | ||||||||
| Michigan's 8th | Elissa Slotkin |
Yes | Democrats+3.8 | Trump+6.7 | Romney+3.1 | ||||||||
| Michigan's 11th | Haley Stevens |
Yes | Democrats+6.7 | Trump+4.4 | Romney+5.4 | ||||||||
| Minnesota's 2nd | Angie Craig |
Yes | Democrats+5.5 | Trump+1.2 | Obama+0.1 | ||||||||
| Minnesota's 7th | Collin Peterson |
Yes | Democrats+4.3 | Trump+30.8 | Romney+9.8 | ||||||||
| Nevada's 3rd | Susie Lee |
Yes | Democrats+9.1 | Trump+1.0 | Obama+0.8 | ||||||||
| New Hampshire's 1st | Chris Pappas |
Yes | Democrats+8.6 | Trump+1.6 | Obama+1.6 | ||||||||
| New Jersey's 3rd | Andrew Kim |
Yes | Democrats+1.3 | Trump+6.2 | Obama+4.6 | ||||||||
| New Jersey's 5th | Josh Gottheimer |
Yes | Democrats+13.7 | Trump+1.1 | Romney+3.0 | ||||||||
| New Jersey's 11th | Mikie Sherrill |
Yes | Democrats+14.6 | Trump+0.9 | Romney+5.8 | ||||||||
| New Mexico's 2nd | Xochitl Torres Small |
Yes | Democrats+1.9 | Trump+10.2 | Romney+6.8 | ||||||||
| New York's 11th | Max Rose |
Yes | Democrats+6.5 | Trump+9.8 | Obama+4.3 | ||||||||
| New York's 18th | Sean Maloney |
Yes | Democrats+10.9 | Trump+1.9 | Obama+4.3 | ||||||||
| New York's 19th | Antonio Delgado |
Yes | Democrats+5.2 | Trump+6.8 | Obama+6.2 | ||||||||
| New York's 22nd | Anthony Brindisi |
Yes | Democrats+1.8 | Trump+15.5 | Romney+0.4 | ||||||||
| Oklahoma's 5th | Kendra Horn |
Yes | Democrats+1.4 | Trump+13.4 | Romney+18.4 | ||||||||
| Pennsylvania's 8th | Matt Cartwright |
Yes | Democrats+9.3 | Trump+9.6 | Obama+11.9 | ||||||||
| Pennsylvania's 17th | Conor Lamb |
Yes | Democrats+12.5 | Trump+2.6 | Romney+4.5 | ||||||||
| South Carolina's 1st | Joe Cunningham |
Yes | Democrats+1.4 | Trump+13.1 | Romney+18.1 | ||||||||
| Utah's 4th | Ben McAdams |
Yes | Democrats+0.3 | Trump+6.7 | Romney+37.0 | ||||||||
| Virginia's 2nd | Elaine Luria |
Yes | Democrats+2.2 | Trump+3.4 | Romney+2.3 | ||||||||
| Virginia's 7th | Abigail Spanberger |
Yes | Democrats+1.9 | Trump+6.5 | Romney+10.5 | ||||||||
| Wisconsin's 3rd | Ron Kind |
Yes | Democrats+19.3 | Trump+4.5 | Obama+11 | ||||||||
| Source: Sabato's Crystal Ball and Daily Kos | |||||||||||||
Click here to see the five U.S. House districts represented by a Republican in 2020 and won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Candidate ballot access
The table below details filing requirements for 2nd Congressional District candidates in Minnesota in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Minnesota, click here.
| Filing requirements, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Signature formula | Filing fee | Filing fee formula | Filing deadline | Source |
| Minnesota | 2nd Congressional District | Major party | 0 | N/A | $300.00 | Fixed number | 6/2/2020 | Source |
| Minnesota | 2nd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 1,000 | Fixed number | N/A | N/A | 6/2/2020 | Source |
District election history
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 2
Angie Craig defeated incumbent Jason Lewis in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 2 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Angie Craig (D) | 52.7 | 177,958 |
 | Jason Lewis (R) | 47.1 | 159,344 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 666 | ||
| Total votes: 337,968 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Bradley Svenson (Independence Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2
Angie Craig advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Angie Craig |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jeff Erdmann (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2
Incumbent Jason Lewis advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 2 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jason Lewis |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was a battleground district in 2016. Republican incumbent John Kline, who began serving in Congress in 2002, chose not to run for re-election in 2016, leaving the seat open. Jason Lewis (R) defeated Angie Craig (D) and Paula Overby (I) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Craig faced no primary opponent, while Lewis defeated Matthew Erickson, John Howe, and Darlene Miller in the Republican primary on August 9, 2016.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Jason Lewis |
47% | 173,970 | |
| Democratic | Angie Craig | 45.2% | 167,315 | |
| Independent | Paula Overby | 7.8% | 28,869 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 360 | |
| Total Votes | 370,514 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jason Lewis |
48.9% | 11,641 | ||
| Darlene Miller | 30.7% | 7,305 | ||
| John Howe | 13.6% | 3,244 | ||
| Matthew Erickson | 6.8% | 1,612 | ||
| Total Votes | 23,802 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State |
||||
2014
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Kline Incumbent |
56% | 137,778 | |
| Democratic | Mike Obermueller | 38.9% | 95,565 | |
| Independence | Paula Overby | 5% | 12,319 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 186 | |
| Total Votes | 245,848 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2020
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2020
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ StarTribune, "Judge blocks delay of Minnesota congressional race," October 9, 2020
- ↑ KTSP, "Judge: Minnesota 2nd District election to take place Nov. 3," October 9, 2020
- ↑ The Hill, "Gorsuch rejects Minnesota Republican's request to delay House race," October 27, 2020
- ↑ United States Census Bureau, "Counties by Congressional Districts," accessed June 8, 2016
- ↑ 270towin.com, "Minnesota," accessed June 29, 2017
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
- ↑ MPR News, "Rep. Craig sues to keep 2nd District election in November," September 28, 2020
- ↑ United States District Court - District of Minnesota, "Angela Craig, and Jerry Winslow Davies v. Steve Simon, in his official capacity as Minnesota Secretary of State," accessed September 29, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Angie Craig on September 28, 2020," accessed September 29, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Aaron Navarro on October 1, 2020," accessed October 1, 2020
- ↑ StarTribune, "Judge blocks delay of Minnesota congressional race," October 9, 2020
- ↑ KTSP, "Judge: Minnesota 2nd District election to take place Nov. 3," October 9, 2020
- ↑ Fox 9 KMSP, "Appeals court keeps Minnesota 2nd congressional election on Nov. 3," October 23, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Angie Craig on October 23, 2020," accessed October 23, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Tyler Kistner on October 23, 2020," accessed October 23, 2020
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Supreme Court rejects delay of Minnesota congressional vote," October 27, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Tyler Kistner on October 27, 2020," accessed October 28, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Angie Craig on October 27, 2020," accessed October 28, 2020
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 1, 2016
- ↑ Capitol View, "Gerson grabs CD2 spotlight as others weigh options," September 4, 2015
- ↑ Pioneer Press, "Howe runs for Second District as ‘conservative’ but ‘electable,’" September 22, 2015
- ↑ TwinCities.com, "Former lawmaker, LG candidate Pam Myhra enters Second District race," October 7, 2015
- ↑ Pioneer Press, "'Mr. Right' Jason Lewis is running for the Second District," October 12, 2015
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Darlene Miller announces run for Congress in Second District," January 7, 2016
- ↑ TwinCities.com, "Another Democrat files for 2nd Congressional District," March 24, 2015
- ↑ Daily Kos Elections, "MN-02 Mary Lawrence (D) press release on dropping out of race (Jan. 2016)," January 5, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Minnesota House Primaries Results," August 9, 2016
