U.S. House, Minnesota 2nd Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District?
Eric Pratt has the strongest record in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Eric Pratt scores 69 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Matt Little at 60, as of October 5, 2026. Eric Pratt's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Matt Little's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
DFL
Matt Little
60 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 50
Republican
Strongest record
Eric Pratt
69 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Matt Little
- On the record2020-03
MinnPost reported in March 2020 that no bill he had sponsored in the Republican-majority Senate had passed and that his name was taken off the sponsorship of the final insulin bill.
Source: MinnPost, March 13, 2020
- Credit2020-03-12
On March 12, 2020 the Senate adopted his two amendments to the Alec Smith insulin bill, one raising the fine on drug makers that do not take part and one naming the law.
Sources: MinnPost, March 13, 2020, Minnesota House Session Daily, April 14, 2020
- Credit2019-07
In July 2019 he convened private talks among lawmakers of both parties and both chambers that produced an announced agreement on emergency insulin aid; how to pay for it was not settled.
Sources: MPR News, July 29, 2019, CBS Minnesota (AP), December 12, 2018
- Credit2019
Was a member of the Attorney General's Advisory Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices beginning in 2019.
Source: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record
- Credit2012-11
Was elected mayor of Lakeville in November 2012 at age 27 with 44% of the vote in a three-way race, becoming the youngest mayor in the city's history.
Sources: Star Tribune, November 10, 2012, Star Tribune, January 12, 2013
Eric Pratt
- On the record2026-09-10
On Sept. 10, 2026 his campaign's field director resigned after the staffer's racist and antisemitic social media posts were publicized by the opposing campaign; Pratt accepted the resignation and condemned the posts.
Sources: MPR News, September 10, 2026, FOX 9, September 10, 2026
- On the record2026-09-27
In a Sept. 27, 2026 debate he said he told the White House to back down during the federal immigration operation in Minnesota the previous winter.
- On the record2022-07
In July 2022 the Scott County Republican Party censured him, saying he broke a promise to abide by its endorsement of another candidate; he rejected the censure and won the Aug. 9 primary with 54%.
Sources: Jordan Independent (Southwest News Media), July 21, 2022, Jordan Independent (Southwest News Media), August 10, 2022, Prior Lake American (Southwest News Media), March 28, 2022
- On the record2016
At a televised 2016 candidate forum he said he had never endorsed Donald Trump and wished someone else led the party; in May 2026 MinnPost reported he said that opinion had changed.
Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune, July 21, 2025, MinnPost, May 7, 2026
- Credit2022-04-29
Was Senate sponsor of the April 2022 law directing $2.7 billion to the unemployment insurance trust fund and $500 million to frontline worker pay; the Senate passed it 65 to 1.
Sources: Minnesota House Session Daily, April 29, 2022, Minnesota House New Laws 2022, Chapter 50
- Credit2017
Was Senate chief author of the 2017 bill creating the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; the governor vetoed it May 18, 2017 and its provisions were enacted in that year's special session education law.
Sources: Revisor of Statutes, SF 4 (2017), Revisor of Statutes, HF 140 (2017), Revisor of Statutes, HF 2 (2017 First Special Session), MinnPost, May 7, 2026
- Credit2017-05-18
Was the Senate author of the 2017 REAL ID implementation law (Chapter 76), signed May 18, 2017 after a final Senate vote of 57 to 8.
Source: Revisor of Statutes, HF 3 (2017)
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Matt Little. Candidate financial disclosure reports for 2025 and 2026 are on file with the House Clerk. No campaign finance board, FEC or ethics finding was found.
Sources: U.S. House Clerk financial disclosure index, 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Eric Pratt. Candidate financial disclosures are on file with the House Clerk.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Matt Little. As a state senator in January 2017 he voted for a health insurance premium relief bill and described the vote in an official statement as crossing party lines.
Eric Pratt. Said at a 2016 forum he had never endorsed his party's presidential nominee. Was censured by his county party in 2022 for running against its endorsed candidate. Said in a 2026 debate he told the White House to back down.
Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune, September 27, 2026, Minnesota Star Tribune, July 21, 2025, MinnPost, May 7, 2026, Jordan Independent (Southwest News Media), July 21, 2022, Jordan Independent (Southwest News Media), August 10, 2022, Prior Lake American (Southwest News Media), March 28, 2022
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Matt Little. Took part in debates with his opponent on WCCO (September 27, 2026) and KSTP (October 2, 2026). The Star Tribune described the WCCO event as their second debate. No declined invitation was reported.
Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune, September 27, 2026, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News debate report
Eric Pratt. Took part in debates with his opponent on WCCO (September 27, 2026) and KSTP (October 2, 2026). The Star Tribune described the WCCO event as their second debate. No declined invitation was reported.
Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune, September 27, 2026, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News debate report
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Matt Little. Served as Lakeville City Council member, Lakeville mayor and state senator between 2010 and 2021. No formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding was found.
Source: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record
Eric Pratt. Has held elected office since 2000, on the school board and then in the Minnesota Senate, including service as assistant majority leader and committee chair. No formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding was found.
Source: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Matt Little. Took the Minnesota Senate oath on January 3, 2017 and served the full term. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded vote or legal filing to reject certified election results was found.
Source: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record
Eric Pratt. Took the Minnesota Senate oath, most recently on January 2, 2023. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded vote or legal filing to reject certified election results was found.
Source: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Matt Little. Served one four-year term in the Minnesota Senate (2017 to 2021) after serving as Lakeville mayor and City Council member. Attorney who reports running his own law firm since 2015.
Sources: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record, Ballotpedia
Eric Pratt. Minnesota state senator since January 2013, elected in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2022. Served on the Prior Lake-Savage School Board from 2000 to 2012, including as chairman. Career in banking risk management.
Sources: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record, MinnPost, May 7, 2026, Ballotpedia
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Matt Little. His campaign site has more than a dozen issue pages with specific federal proposals, including expanded Medicare drug price negotiation and a 10-point anti-corruption list. He served on three Minnesota Senate committees.
Sources: Campaign site, health care issue page, Campaign site, anti-corruption issue page, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record
Eric Pratt. Ranking minority member of the Senate Finance Committee in 2025 to 2026 and chair of the Jobs and Economic Growth committee from 2019 to 2022. His campaign site states positions in general terms.
Sources: Ballotpedia, committee assignments, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record, Campaign site
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Matt Little. Completed the Ballotpedia 2026 Candidate Connection survey, answered the Sun Thisweek and West St Paul Reader candidate questionnaires, and took part in televised debates.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Sun Thisweek candidate questionnaire, October 2, 2026, West St Paul Reader voter guide, September 30, 2026
Eric Pratt. Answered the Sun Thisweek and West St Paul Reader candidate questionnaires and took part in televised debates. Ballotpedia reports he has not completed its 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: Sun Thisweek candidate questionnaire, October 2, 2026, West St Paul Reader voter guide, September 30, 2026, Ballotpedia
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Matt Little. Graduated from Rosemount High School, held Lakeville city office from 2010 to 2016 and reports living in New Market Township. About 85 percent of his itemized individual contributions by state came from Minnesota through July 22, 2026.
Sources: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record, FEC candidate page, individual contributions grouped by state, Campaign site, Meet Matt
Eric Pratt. His family moved to Prior Lake in 1978 and he served on the local school board from 2000 to 2012. About 90 percent of his itemized individual contributions by state came from Minnesota through July 22, 2026.
Sources: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, legislator record, FEC candidate page, individual contributions grouped by state, MinnPost, May 7, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Matt Little. His campaign committee filed its July 2025 through pre-primary 2026 FEC reports on or before the due dates. An FEC administrative fines search for his name returns no results.
Sources: FEC committee filings, Matt Little for Congress, FEC administrative fines search
Eric Pratt. His campaign committee filed its October 2025 through pre-primary 2026 FEC reports on or before the due dates. An FEC administrative fines search for his name returns no results.
Sources: FEC committee filings, Eric Pratt for Minnesota Committee, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Matt Little. Two of his amendments were adopted to the 2020 Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Revisor of Statutes records list no measure with a law chapter number for which he was Senate chief author in 2017 to 2020.
Sources: MinnPost, March 2020, Minnesota Senate DFL, March 12, 2020, Revisor of Statutes, chief author search, 2019 to 2020
Eric Pratt. Revisor of Statutes records list at least 20 measures with a law chapter number for which he was Senate chief author from 2017 to 2026, including the 2022 unemployment insurance trust fund and frontline worker payments law.
Sources: Minnesota House New Laws 2022, SF2677 / Chapter 50, Revisor of Statutes, chief author search, 2021 to 2022, Revisor of Statutes, SF 3887 (2026)
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Matt Little. No public record found.
Eric Pratt. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Matt Little. No public record found.
Eric Pratt. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Matt Little. The Republican-majority Senate adopted his two amendments to the 2020 insulin bill. In January 2017 he voted for a premium relief bill described by his caucus as an agreement between Republicans and Democrats.
Sources: MinnPost, March 2020, Minnesota Senate DFL, statement of January 27, 2017
Eric Pratt. Was Senate chief author of the 2022 unemployment insurance and frontline worker law with a DFL House chief author, and of a 2026 law coauthored with a DFL senator that first passed the Senate 66 to 1.
Sources: Minnesota House New Laws 2022, SF2677 / Chapter 50, Revisor of Statutes, SF 3887 (2026), MinnPost, May 7, 2026
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Matt Little. No public record found.
Eric Pratt. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District?
Eric Pratt has the strongest record in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Eric Pratt scores 69 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Matt Little at 60, as of October 5, 2026. Eric Pratt's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Matt Little's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District in 2026?
Matt Little (DFL), Eric Pratt (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Matt Little a good candidate for Congress?
Matt Little scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Eric Pratt a good candidate for Congress?
Eric Pratt scores 69 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Minnesota race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Minnesota 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.