Little and Pratt Debated Minnesota Congressional Race
The candidates for Minnesota's Second District sparred over immigration policy during their second televised debate.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Immigration
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Matt Little and Eric Pratt faced off on Sunday to discuss their policy positions in the race for Minnesota's Second Congressional District. The candidates addressed various federal policies, including immigration enforcement and the White House agenda.
Why it matters
The debate highlighted the policy divide between the candidates, with Little expressing opposition to Trump administration measures like tariffs and immigration, while Pratt emphasized his efforts to negotiate directly with the White House.
Eric Pratt stated that he personally requested the White House scale back immigration enforcement actions during a winter crackdown. This contrasts with his observation that four Minnesota Republican representatives did not publicly challenge the administration during the same period.
The players
Matt Little
He is a former mayor of Lakeville who is running for a congressional seat in Minnesota.
Eric Pratt
He is a state senator running for office in Minnesota's Second Congressional District.
The details
Eric Pratt, a state senator, characterized his governing style as listening to all sides, while criticizing his opponent for his alignment with the democratic socialist arm of the Democratic party. Former Lakeville mayor Matt Little voiced his opposition to various Trump administration policies, specifically targeting tariffs, immigration measures, and the war in Iran.
Timeline
The candidates held their second debate on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Pratt requested the White House reduce immigration enforcement actions last winter.
Political Context
This race mirrors broader tensions within the party where some candidates seek to distance themselves from federal administration directives. Opposition groups argue that such distancing is largely performative and fails to address the underlying legislative failures of the current political environment.
The stances taken by these candidates on federal immigration enforcement have direct implications for residents concerned about regional security and state-level policy autonomy. Voters will need to consider how each candidate intends to influence federal actions if they win the seat in the Second Congressional District.
The takeaway
The second debate underscored a clear divergence in how state-level politicians attempt to influence federal executive policy. Voters are left to weigh whether a confrontational approach to the White House or a negotiation-first strategy better serves the district.
Further reading
For more on the policy landscape in the state, visit our Minnesota Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Tribune.
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