Live results for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District

Live vote counting is set to begin Tuesday night in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, where Democrat Matt Little and Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt are competing for an open US House seat in the south metro suburbs.^[1]

The Associated Press is expected to start reporting results shortly after polls close at 8 p.m. Central, with the race drawing extra attention because it will determine who replaces Democratic Rep. Angie Craig, who chose not to seek another term.^[1] The district covers all of Dakota and Scott counties and parts of Washington County, including a mix of fast-growing suburbs, exurbs and small towns south of Minneapolis and St. Paul.^[1]

Craig's decision to step aside after holding the seat for multiple terms created one of Minnesota's most closely watched contests this cycle, removing the advantage of incumbency in a district that has seen competitive races between Democrats and Republicans in recent years. Little, a former Democratic state senator, and Pratt, a longtime Republican state senator from Prior Lake, emerged as their parties' standard-bearers, each arguing they are best positioned to keep or flip a seat that has helped decide control of the House in past cycles.^[1]

The 2nd District has swung between parties over the past decade as population growth and shifting political attitudes in the Twin Cities suburbs have turned it into a bellwether for statewide and national trends. Craig first unseated a Republican incumbent in 2018, then defended the seat through several hard-fought re-election campaigns, cementing the district's reputation as a top national target for both parties and outside spending groups. With no incumbent on the ballot this year, both parties see a rare opening to reset the district's political trajectory.

As ballots are counted Tuesday night, campaigns, national party committees and political observers will be watching for early clues from suburban precincts in Dakota County and fast-growing communities in Scott County that often indicate which way the district is breaking. Turnout levels compared with recent cycles, especially in swing areas that have bounced between Craig and her Republican challengers, will help signal whether Democrats can hold an open seat in a competitive suburban district or whether Republicans can notch a pickup as both parties battle for a narrow House majority.

1. FOX 9