MINNEAPOLIS — Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig declared victory over Republican challenger Tyler Kistner in a pivotal congressional swing district south of the Twin Cities.
The Associated Press had not yet called the race's outcome as ballots continued to be counted Wednesday morning. But Craig had netted 9,092 more votes than Kistner in a Second Congressional District race that was clouded by a legal challenge following the death of a third-party candidate.
"While it took longer than expected, I have said throughout this race that every voter in our district must have an opportunity to make their voices heard," Craig said in a statement Wednesday morning. "I am so grateful to the people of this district for giving me an opportunity to return to Congress."
Partial voting results showed that Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Adam Charles Weeks, who died unexpectedly in September, had a significant impact on the race. As of Wednesday morning, 24,483 had cast their ballots for Weeks. The candidates were neck and neck Tuesday night, and at one point Craig led by only 154 votes. But by Wednesday morning she had pulled ahead.
Weeks told a friend before he died that he had been recruited by Republicans to draw votes from Craig in the district, which extends across the southern suburbs and southeast rural communities. In a voice mail shared with the Star Tribune, Weeks said, "They want me to run as a third-party, liberal candidate, which I'm down. I can play the liberal, you know that."
Some absentee ballots were still being processed Wednesday. Dakota County Elections Director Andy Lokken — whose county accounts for a large number of votes in the district — said Tuesday night they were still waiting on some absentee ballot totals from some cities.
Weeks' death also has raised legal questions about the race. Craig successfully challenged a state law that would have postponed the contest and resulted in special election in February. But Kistner, seeking a delay, has appealed the case to a federal appeals court.
Craig flipped the seat in 2018, defeating then-Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis, who lost a challenge to U.S. Sen. Tina Smith on Tuesday. Before Craig's win, the Second Congressional District had been held by Republicans since 2001.
Kistner, a Marine Corps veteran and first-time candidate, is seeking to return it to GOP control. Craig, a former health care manufacturing company executive, campaigned as a centrist Democrat who can work with Republicans in Congress.
His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.
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