Overview
- Republican Tyler Kistner ended his 2026 bid Wednesday after the Marine Reserves activated him for a Middle East deployment.
- He said rising Pentagon duties over the past six months also contributed to his decision to step away.
- With Kistner out, state Sen. Eric Pratt is now the sole Republican in the race, and he publicly thanked Kistner for his service.
- The seat opened when Rep. Angie Craig launched a U.S. Senate run, and Democrats Matt Little and Matt Klein are vying for their party’s nomination.
- Minnesota’s 2nd District covers south Twin Cities suburbs such as Lakeville, Eagan and Burnsville plus farmland, a split that has seen the district swing between parties over time.