Distribution 80% urban
20% rural Median income 61,344 Area 7,861 km² | Population (2000) 614,934 Cook PVI R+2 | |
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Current Representative Jason Lewis (R–Burnsville) Ethnicity 93.2% White
1.6% Black
2.3% Asian
2.6% Hispanic
0.4% Native American
1.1% other | ||
Minnesota’s 2nd congressional district (current) covers the south Twin Cities metro area and contains all of Scott, Dakota, Goodhue, and Wabasha counties. It also contains part of northern and eastern Rice County including the city of Northfield, and southern Washington County including the city of Cottage Grove. Burnsville and Eagan are the largest cities in the district. Historically, for many decades in the mid 20th century the 2nd congressional district covered the southwest corner of the state, while the 1st congressional district covered most of this part of the state.
Three of Minnesota’s most important rivers run through the district, the Mississippi River, the Minnesota River, and the St. Croix River. Interstate highways I-35 E and I-35 W merge in the district in addition to the north-south thoroughfares of U.S. Routes 169, 61, and 52 and the east-west Route 212. The suburban areas in the northern part of the district blend into the rural farmland in the south. The district's economy includes agriculture, small businesses, and large corporations.
Some of the largest employers in the district are Thomson North American Legal, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, 3M, Cambria, and Red Wing Shoes. The district includes Pine Bend Refinery, the largest oil refinery in Minnesota, owned by Koch Industries.The district includes the largest catering company in Minnesota, Lakeville's Divine Swine Catering, http://divineswinecatering.com/, which employs 70 people, is privately owned, and has been in business for 35 years.
The 2nd District is also home to two private liberal arts colleges: St. Olaf and Carleton, both in Northfield. Minnesota's largest amusement park, Valleyfair, is in Shakopee, and Le Sueur, in the southwest part of the district, is the birthplace of the world-famous Jolly Green Giant food products.
Two of Minnesota's oldest cities, Hastings and Red Wing are in the district. The district hosts heritage festivals and town celebrations, such as Kolacky days in Montgomery, the Pine Island Cheese festival, and Shakopee Derby Days.
Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Jason Lewis, an author and former radio talk show host. The district is Republican-leaning with a CPVI of R + 3. However, after previous Representative John Kline announced in 2015 he would not run again for the seat, the district appears to have become more competitive, with several sources identifying it as a toss-up or battleground district.