Democrat Matt Little wins Minnesota House race to succeed Craig

Democrat Matt Little is projected to win Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District , according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Little defeated Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt in the race to replace retiring Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.). Craig opted to run for Senate but ultimately lost the Democratic primary to Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

The Democrat led his opponent 59.8 percent to 40.2 percent with 69 percent of the vote reported by DDHQ as of 11:05 p.m. EST Tuesday.

Little’s win comes in a district that has steadily shifted left in recent elections, despite Republican efforts to make inroads with suburban voters in the North Star State.

The former state senator and Lakeville mayor ran on a progressive campaign, calling for “Medicare for All,” changes to federal immigration enforcement and a moratorium on new data centers .

He also took aim at President Trump’s handling of the Iran war, arguing the U.S. should withdraw from the conflict.

DDHQ’s preelection forecast showed Little with a 96 percent chance of winning, compared with Pratt’s 4 percent.

The Republican, a four-term state senator, sought to portray himself as an independent voice who could work across party lines. He emphasized lowering healthcare costs, cutting government waste and leaving decisions about data center development to local officials.

The two former legislative colleagues sparred during an October debate over health, Trump’s foreign policy moves and their records in the Minnesota Legislature.