Fierce battle in Minnesota's 2nd District GOP primary

Burnsville conservative Oliver Wilson wants to vote for a congressional candidate who promotes national security.

"I want to make sure my kids … aren't fighting in a war," he said.

Melissa Armbrust said that as a teacher, she's concerned about gun control.

"It's so easy for anyone to get a gun," said the Apple Valley independent.

Voters in Minnesota's Second Congressional District are weighing four candidates in the Republican primary on Tuesday, in the nationally watched race to replace retiring Rep. John Kline, who has held the seat for 14 years. The GOP is eager to leave behind the bruising infighting and focus on the general election in November, where Democrat Angie Craig has a large advantage in fundraising and time on the campaign trail.

Just 20,000 voters are expected to turn out in the district south of the Twin Cities, including Burnsville, Eagan and Northfield. The winner can expect a massive infusion from reluctant GOP donors and interest from national political organizations eager to see the seat stay in Republican control.

The district is one of the fiercest battlegrounds in Minnesota, with Washington, D.C., political publications now calling it a tossup. Kline won easily in recent elections, but President Obama carried the district in 2012.

It includes an eclectic mix of liberal arts colleges like Carleton and St. Olaf and major employers like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Pine Bend oil refinery, owned by Koch Industries.

Jason Lewis has the highest profile, with the Republican endorsement and his past as a conservative talk show host.

He's focused on national security, instituting a "flatter, fairer" tax code and improving the economy.

"Without economic security, you don't have any security at all," Lewis said.

Republican contender Darlene Miller has attacked Lewis' controversial statements on the radio, including comments appearing to question the abolishment of slavery and his contention that women vote for candidates who promise free birth control pills.

Miller said that while Lewis might have started with higher name recognition among voters, he's been off the radio for a few years.

"People who did listen to him also heard the craziness he says; … my name ID is right up there," she said.

She's sought to paint Lewis as an erratic talk show host who betrays conservative values. Both candidates strongly oppose the Affordable Care Act and support stronger national security measures.

Lewis said that his opponents have taken his statements out of context, explaining that he used to make one ridiculous statement to underscore the ridiculousness of another point.

"I could have been talking about gardening for 25 years and they would have found this snippet and this snippet and put them together," he said. "Your job on the radio is to be provocative, and I've done my job well."

Lewis said he was more focused on the general election, where beating Craig "is going to be formidable. It's going to be tough."

Craig, a health care executive, has already released television ads promoting her work helping women move into leadership positions and creating good-paying jobs for veterans.

Lewis voiced concern about Republicans running a "vicious, negative campaign. How is that going to help Republicans in the general election when you're using Democrat talking points?"

Lewis noted that fundraising already has been tough, with a number of donors holding out to see who wins the primary.

Miller has been promoting her endorsement from Kline and role as chief executive of Permac Industries, a manufacturer of precision machine parts in Burnsville.

She's been running TV ads in which Kline praised her background growing up on a farm, working a production line and building a company, adding that Miller will take a hard line against terrorists.

"Darlene is the only one I trust to represent us in Congress," Kline said in the commercial.

In an interview, Miller highlighted her experience creating jobs, managing a budget and signing payroll checks. "I really have conservative values and real-life experiences," she said.

Her top issues: standing up to Islamic terrorism and Iran.

"I believe the United States has to be very strong. We have to take action to get rid of ISIS," she said.

Miller said she wants to build up the military, which she believes has degraded in the past few years, and ensure that intelligence agencies communicate better with one another.

Lewis has attacked Miller for accepting federal stimulus money for her business, subsidies that Republicans have roundly blasted. She said she took a tax deduction on depreciated equipment in one case, and in another she took part in a program through the Dakota County workforce office that allowed her to train people as shipping clerks, receptionists and other roles.

John Howe, a former state senator and mayor of Red Wing, Minn., has positioned himself as the only candidate with governing experience.

"It's a two-year term and if you don't have that experience or knowledge to understand how the legislative process works, I think it's going to put our district at a disadvantage to get meaningful legislation passed," he said.

He's touting his backing from the National Rifle Association, claiming that for most people in Minnesota it's an even bigger endorsement than the Republican party's. Kline has been a top recipient of contributions from the NRA.

Howe is most concerned about the $19 trillion national debt, and described Lewis' and Miller's focus on terrorism as "fear mongering … they're trying to scare people into voting for them."

He added that reducing the debt affects everything from national security to trade relations.

The other candidates, he said, are using divisive politics.

"I don't think they're having the substantive conversations we need to address the direction of … our country."

Political newcomer Matthew Erickson is also on the ballot. Entering later than the other candidates, he was the Minnesota spokesman earlier this year for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Some candidates acknowledge that getting out the vote will be challenging, particularly in a primary where participation is expected to be low.

At the Buzz Coffee & Cafe in Burnsville recently, Miller introduced herself to customers and shook hands.

Few of them seemed aware of the primary or the candidates running.

Maya Rao • 651-925-5043