MINNESOTA: Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar was easily re-elected to a second term in 2012 with 65 percent of the vote, which helps explain why ambitious Republicans aren’t forming a line to challenge her next year. The other factor that could well spare Klobuchar a competitive challenge is the open-seat Governor’s race in 2018, which has generated great interest among Republicans looking to move up the political ladder, particularly given that Democrats have held the office since 2011. Republicans believe that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s narrow 1.5-point victory last November is proof that the state is more purple than blue, but Klobuchar hasn’t given voters much cause to be unhappy with her. The race is in the Solid Democrat column. MISSISSIPPI: Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker doesn’t have much to fear from Democrats as he seeks a second full term next year, but he might get a challenge from within his own party. U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, Wicker’s more senior colleague, is well acquainted with the reality of primaries. When Cochran was up for re-election in 2014, state Sen.
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