With the Minnesota Legislature closing out the 2021 legislative session this week, many are turning their eyes ahead to 2022, where some hapless Republican candidate will have the misfortune of running against and losing to Representative Angie Craig. With a handful of candidates reportedly considering a run, meet the slate of political lightweights lining up for second place in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District:
Tyler Kistner, 2020 Failed Congressional Candidate
Why he’s running:
- To propagate the Big Lie: Like disgraced former President Donald Trump, Kistner filed a lawsuit to overturn the results of the November election, which he lost.
- To oppose the COVID relief package: Kistner is vehemently opposed to the American Rescue Plan, which provided $1,400 checks to every American, saved millions of jobs and is supported by 70% of Americans.
- To revive the political career of Donald Trump: Kistner has previously said that he is “99%” supportive of Donald Trump and has been unable to demonstrate any substantive policy or political differences with the disgraced former president.
Why he’s destined to lose:
- Paltry fundraising numbers: Despite running in 2020 with the backing of the NRCC, Kistner finished the first quarter with just $22,000 cash on hand – with nearly $80,000 in unpaid debt – a bleak financial situation for a supposed frontrunner.
- Questions about his role in third-party antics: Last cycle, Republican operatives reportedly paid a third-party candidate to enter the race in the hopes he’d “pull votes away” from Craig and give an advantage to the “other guy.” Kistner has refused to say what he knew and when.
- His support for repealing the Affordable Care Act: While running for the GOP nomination in 2020, Kistner promised to gut the Affordable Care Act, which would effectively eliminate health insurance for 265,000 Minnesotans.
Erik Mortensen, Disgraced Minnesota House Member
Why he’s (maybe) running:
- Nowhere else to go: After complaining of “weak” and “phony” Republicans in the GOP House delegation and repeatedly criticizing party leadership, Mortensen was recently ejected from the New House Republican Caucus, a far-right group formed due to displeasure with Republican leadership. Following his removal, the House GOP Caucus confirmed he was not welcome to join them either.
- Assuming the Trump mantle: A shameless Trump loyalist, Mortensen voted against a resolution condemning the January 6th insurrection and reaffirming the results of the 2020 election.
- Seeking a larger stage for his stunts: Mortensen is infamous for his questionable political judgment, including his lonely quest to impeach Governor Tim Walz and his widely panned tour of Minnesota businesses that remained open in defiance of public health orders.
Why he’s destined to lose:
- No institutional support: After claiming that Republican Minnesota House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt attempted to sabotage his career by cooperating with Democrats to file a complaint against him, Mortensen has few – if any – allies left in the GOP establishment.
- Damaged goods: Mortensen’s past behavior may have blocked off his path to higher office – most notably his long history of inappropriate comments, including abusive language directed toward the Minnesota House Speaker and an aide, a public doxing of a House colleague, and his laughter at the suggestion that government workers should be “hanged” for enforcing COVID restrictions.
Eric Pratt, Anti-Worker Minnesota House Member
Why he’s (maybe) running:
- To prevent corporations from paying their fair share: A former executive at U.S. Bank, Pratt is vehemently opposed to legislative efforts to ensure that corporations and the richest among us pay their fair share in taxes.
- To prevent working families from earning livable wages: Pratt said that he did not want the state minimum wage to be any higher than $7.25 an hour – a rate that would leave full-time employees working 40 hours a week in poverty.
- To participate in cancel culture: Pratt recently fought to bar a Minnesota teacher from the Teacher Licensing Board because of a Facebook post she made that was critical of former President Trump.
Why he’s destined to lose:
- Tepid Fundraising: Pratt is a disastrous fundraiser – pulling together less than $23,000 for his re-election campaign last year.
- An economy for me, not for thee: Pratt has worked tirelessly to protect high-income Minnesotans like himself but has voted against legislation providing tax cuts to family farmers and working families, opposed paid family leave plans, and fought to undo local minimum wage increases.
More flawed 2022 runners-up to keep your eyes on:
- Steve Drazkowski – Firebrand state legislator & leader of far-right New House Republican Caucus
- Rick Olson – Former Michigan legislator and failed 2018 Congressional Candidate
- Regina Barr – Former state legislator and failed 2018 Congressional Candidate
- Erika Cashin – Former state legislator and failed 2018 Congressional Candidate
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