The Daily Digest: Primary campaigns on the home stretch

Good morning!

Minnesota

In Eden Prairie, a high-ranking Minnesota House Republican faces a fierce primary challenge in large part because of her vote to legalize same-sex marriage. (MPR News)

A prominent political handicapper has downgraded his ratings of 7th District Congressman Collin Peterson and 8th District Congressman Rick Nolan's chances re-election. (MinnPost)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

A look at the Republican primary campaigns in the 1st Congressional District. (MPR News)

There's also a Republican primary in the 6th Congressional District. (Pioneer Press)

State Rep. Jim Abeler is going all out in the final stretch of the Republican U.S. Senate primary campaign. (Star Tribune)

The Star Tribune has endorsed Abeler over businessman Mike McFadden. (Star Tribune)

Despite a new state law to make absentee voting easier, requests for absentee ballots are down from 2010. (MPR News)

Michael Bloomberg’s gun-control advocacy group is running an ad backing legislation from DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, that would expand restrictions on handgun purchases by domestic abusers. (Star Tribune)

The PoliGraph returns after a hiatus with a look at claims in the DFL primary race for state auditor. (MPR News)

National Politics

More than a year and a half after losing the presidential election, Mitt Romney is emerging as one of the Republican Party’s most in-demand campaign surrogates. (Washington Post)

Congress started a five week recess on Friday having accomplished very little in the run up to midterm elections. (Politico)

Missouri voters are being asked whether to add a right to farm to the state's constitution. (New York Times)

Despite being in the minority, the most liberal wing of House Democrats, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Keith Ellison, have accomplished some surprising policy victories. (MSNBC)