Former medical device company executive Angie Craig announced Monday that she'll make a second run at Minnesota's Second Congressional District seat, hoping to flip the results of last year's election.
Craig, a DFLer from Eagan, lost to Republican Jason Lewis last year by two percentage points in what became one of the most closely watched races in the country. She said in a statement that she's ready to try again because she's dissatisfied with Lewis' votes on health care and other issues. "We deserve a representative who will listen to everyone — even those we might disagree with — and then work to create a level playing field for every family," she said.
Craig, 45, is a former communications and human resources executive with St. Jude Medical. She emphasized her business background during her 2016 run, in which she outpaced Lewis in fundraising and attracted support from national Democratic backers.
Craig said she intends to set out on a listening tour before formally launching her campaign in the fall. The Second District stretches from Lakeville to Red Wing to Northfield, including both suburban and rural communities.
Another candidate is seeking the DFL endorsement: Jeff Erdmann, the head football coach at Rosemount High School and civics teacher at the school.
In her announcement, however, Craig fixed her aim on Lewis, who she said has "marched in lockstep with President Trump and Congressional Republican leaders. The fight for health care is just one example — he voted to increase premiums and deductibles, to raise costs dramatically for older Americans and to cut coverage for millions of Americans — all to give a tax cut to the rich."
Lewis spokesman Stephen Bradford said in a statement that voters rejected Craig's "radical ideas" in 2016. He said Craig and other "very liberal candidates either obstruct real health care, tax and regulatory reform or veer hard-left with dangerous new schemes."
Erin Golden • 612-673-4790
