Republican farmer Brad Finstad is favored to hold Minnesota's vacant 1st CD over Democrat Jeff Ettinger in an August 9 special election. But the margin could offer clues as to whether Democrats have closed the "enthusiasm gap" since the Dobbs decision. Elsewhere, Vermont Democrats will decide which woman will become the state's first elected to Congress, and Hawaii Democrats will choose the next member from the 2nd CD. Jump to a state: August 9: Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin August 13: Hawaii
MN-01: VACANT (Hagedorn) (R) - South: Mankato, Rochester Likely Republican. This special election to replace late GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn looked over when pragmatic former USDA Rural Development state director Brad Finstad beat out Freedom Caucus-backed state Rep. Jeremy Munson, 38%-37%, in the May 24 primary. After all, this is a Trump +10 seat and Democrats would have preferred to run against Munson. But one week out, the August 9 special isn't a total foregone conclusion. Democrats have a uniquely appealing nominee in retired Hormel Foods CEO Jeff Ettinger, a self-styled pro-business moderate who led an iconic Austin, MN-based brand
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