MN-2. Kline to retire.

[smoltchanov]

Swingy district. Democrats already have 2 good candidates, but Republicans have a good bench (probably - slightly better then Democrats) here. In Presidential year chances are about 50-50

[smoltchanov]

From Roll Call:
On the Republican side, multiple party operatives said to expect a crowded primary. Possible candidates include:

State Sen. Dave Thompson, a former conservative radio host who represents a district south of the Twin Cities. Thompson ran for governor, but dropped out before the primary.

Former state Rep. Kurt Bills, who unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2012.

State Rep. Pat Garofalo, who has been in the state legislature since 2004.

Former state Sen. Ted Daley, who lost re-election in 2012.

Businessman Mike McFadden, who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Al Franken for Senate in 2014.

State Rep. Rod Hamilton, who first came to the state legislature in 2004.

David Gerson, a libertarian who unsuccessfully waged a primary against Kline in both 2012 and 2014.

http://atr.rollcall.com/minnesotas-john-kline-will-not-seek-eighth-term/

All seem to be "solid conservatives", and thus, may be - not the best candidates for this swing district. But, after all, there are almost no moderates left in Minnesota's Republican party..

[smoltchanov]

From Roll Call:
On the Republican side, multiple party operatives said to expect a crowded primary. Possible candidates include:

State Sen. Dave Thompson, a former conservative radio host who represents a district south of the Twin Cities. Thompson ran for governor, but dropped out before the primary.

Former state Rep. Kurt Bills, who unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2012.

State Rep. Pat Garofalo, who has been in the state legislature since 2004.

Former state Sen. Ted Daley, who lost re-election in 2012.

Businessman Mike McFadden, who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Al Franken for Senate in 2014.

State Rep. Rod Hamilton, who first came to the state legislature in 2004.

David Gerson, a libertarian who unsuccessfully waged a primary against Kline in both 2012 and 2014.

http://atr.rollcall.com/minnesotas-john-kline-will-not-seek-eighth-term/

All seem to be "solid conservatives", and thus, may be - not the best candidates for this swing district. But, after all, there are almost no moderates left in Minnesota's Republican party..

That implies the incumbent was a moderate - John Kline had a 100% conservative record.

That implies nothing - Kline was surely a conservative. But he was a popular conservative and even he lost twice before winning. Popular conservative can win here, but i think a moderate would have at least some initial advantage in so swingy district. IMHO - districts from D+5 to R+5 are ideally suited for moderates of both parties, all other - for "ideologues".... Obviously, no one expect moderates to win in San Francisco or in North Texas.....