Minnesota Candidate Pratt Removes Trump-Focused Text
A Republican congressional candidate in Minnesota scrubbed a website section after social media users identified internal instructions.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Elections
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Republican congressional candidate Eric Pratt removed a section from his campaign website that labeled the President as unpopular. The incident occurred after an X user circulated a screenshot of the internal campaign instructions, which advised staff to prioritize local politics.
Why it matters
The change reflects a broader trend among Republican candidates who are distancing themselves from national political figures to focus on local messaging. This strategy is frequently employed by contenders in competitive races to maximize their appeal to district voters.
A survey of 62 competitive congressional races found that 41 candidates have moved to distance themselves from the President. It remains unclear how extensively AI platforms influenced the drafting of the affected campaign website content.
The players
Eric Pratt
He is a Republican congressional candidate for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District who has served in the state Senate since 2013.
Matt Little
He is the Democratic opponent in the 2nd Congressional District race and previously served as the mayor of Lakeville.
The details
The controversial text was located within the Pratt Playbook section of the candidate's website, which allegedly contained internal instructions drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Following the social media backlash, the campaign replaced the passage with language emphasizing common sense and affordable purchases.
Timeline
Eric Pratt began serving in the Minnesota state Senate in 2013.
Matt Little accused Pratt of being scared of Trump in September 2026.
An X user shared a screenshot of the website on October 20, 2026.
The election between Eric Pratt and Matt Little is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
This move aligns with a broader pattern observed in 41 of 62 competitive congressional races where candidates are modifying their messaging to distance themselves from the President. Opponents argue that such actions demonstrate a lack of conviction, suggesting that candidates are attempting to hide their true political allegiances from voters.
Voters in the 2nd Congressional District can expect an increased focus on local policy and affordable purchasing proposals as the campaign pivots away from national political rhetoric. These shifts directly impact how constituents evaluate the candidates' priorities ahead of the November 3 election.
The takeaway
Candidates often recalibrate their messaging in the final weeks of a campaign to respond to shifting public sentiment and social media scrutiny. Voters should evaluate these late-stage website changes as part of a broader shift toward localized campaign platforms.
What happens next
The election for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District between Eric Pratt and Matt Little will take place on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on the upcoming ballot, visit our Minnesota Elections coverage.
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