Kline Gets GOP Nod, Expects Fierce Race

U.S. Congressman John Kline, (R-Second District) of Lakeville, received the unanimous endorsement from Republicans at the GOP convention at Shakopee Junior High School last week, and is now preparing for what could shape up to be his as he seeks a sixth term.

Thanks to February's court-panel redistricting, Kline faces a tougher road in a second district which now includes DFL-leaning portions of northern Dakota County, as well as southern Washington County, and doesn't include Republican strongholds such as Carver County.

It's also attracted what some consider to be more viable who would otherwise stay out of the race since the old district leaned so far to the Republican Party.

Candidates for Saturday's DFL endorsement include , a Dakota County commissioner and former mayor of South St. Paul; of Eagan, a former legislator; and , a member of the .

Obermueller told the Star Tribune the district could be ripe for the taking.

"The district got some better demographics for us (in redistricting)," Obermueller told the Star Tribune. "We have a popular president and a congressman whose voting record doesn't match the district very well, and so there's an opportunity here to take him out."

Kline isn't resting on his laurels. While he took time to offer thanks for his endorsement, he's also amassed more than $1 million in cash for the campaign, and has more staffers at the ready than in previous years.

“I’m eager to jump back in the trenches as we fight for conservative representation and leadership at all levels of government," he said in a statement.

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