Craig, Lewis Both Optimistic About Chances To Win 2nd District

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One of the most closely watched races in the country is Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

It's a rare open seat because of the retirement of long-time Republican Congressman John Kline.

Democrat Angie Craig and her campaign party are at DFL headquarters in downtown Minneapolis for Election night. The Craig campaign is extremely up beat and they believe they have a substantial lead in the 78,000 absentee votes that were cast in the district.

Craig and her wife, Cheryl, voted Tuesday morning at Oak Hill Church in Eagan. It is an extraordinary number for them to be ahead. There are more Republicans in the 2nd District than Democrats, but the district is not as conservative as it used to be.

It includes suburban areas like Prior Lake and Inver Grove Heights, as well farm areas around Red Wing and Northfield. Craig expressed her confidence after she voted.

"We have over 2,000 volunteers. We have knocked doors, we have made phone calls and we feel really very good about where we are today," Craig said.

Craig has had an enormous financial advantage. She has raised more than four times what her Republican opponent, conservative radio talk show host Jason Lewis, has. And if the absentee numbers are accurate, they show this seat is a rare opportunity for Democrats to snatch a seat that has been in Republicans' hands for 14 years.

Lewis has kept a mostly low profile on Election Day. He's made one public appearance and otherwise has been working the phones at his headquarters in Burnsville.

Lewis spoke to an American Government class at Burnsville High School Tuesday morning. Then, he made calls to get people to the polls.

His 20 years on the radio have played a big part in this campaign. He's been slammed in commercials for his comments about slavery and women despite the fact that many have been proven to be taken out of context.

"I think that's what people are upset over in politics... Do anything to win," Lewis said. "To engage in such a deliberately dishonest campaign I thought was unfortunate."

Lewis said he is cautiously optimistic as he awaits final results. He plans to head to the GOP party at the Radisson Blu to watch results come in.