DFL Sen. Matt Klein announces run for 2nd Congressional District
Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota Heights, presents the sports betting bill to the State and Local Government Committee February 13, 2025. The bill failed to pass on a 6-6 tie vote. Photo by A.J. Olmscheid/Senate Media Services.
Minnesota Sen. Matt Klein, DFL-Mendota Heights, a Mayo doctor first elected to the Legislature in 2016, announced Tuesday he's running for Rep. Angie Craig's congressional seat in the 2nd District.
'As a senator, I've worked across the aisle to pass common sense laws that protect Minnesotans from financial fraud and predatory lending, lower prescription drug costs by holding Big Pharma accountable, defend reproductive freedom, and make life more affordable for working families,' Klein said in a statement.
The 2nd Congressional District is Minnesota's most competitive, but Craig's centrist politics has helped her win four consecutive elections in the purple south metro district. In 2024, she won by double digit percentage points despite Republicans' nationwide success. She recently announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate.
Klein currently serves as the chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
Most recently, Klein has championed legislation to legalize online sports betting in Minnesota, but that effort has stalled again this year.
He's also a vocal proponent of passing a revolving door ban, which would bar lawmakers from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office.
Klein, a married father of five, grew up in the east metro and attended the Mayo Medical School. Klein helped Gov. Tim Walz during his 2022 reelection by sharply calling out Walz's GOP opponent, fellow physician Scott Jensen, who had raised doubts about the severity of the pandemic and the necessity of universal vaccination.
Former DFL Sen. Matt Little is also running for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Businessman and internet poster Mike Norton is exploring a run. Other potential candidates include GOP state Sen. Eric Pratt; 2024 GOP nominee Joe Teirab; and 2020 and 2022 GOP nominee Tyler Kistner.
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