Obermueller gets a boost from Washington

It looks like Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District just got more competitive.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has moved Mike Obermueller, who is challenging Republican Rep. John Kline, to the top tier of its"Red to Blue" list. Obermueller was added to the list earlier this year, but now his candidacy is considered one of the 36 most competitive in the nation.

A spot on the Red to Blue list typically comes with financial, communications, strategic and grassroots organizing support from the DCCC, which does substantial fundraising for choice races.

Obermueller is the only Minnesota candidate at the top of the DCCC's list.

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"Growing up on a farm, Mike Obermueller learned early the importance of hard work, sticking to a budget, and working together to get things done," said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel in a press release. "Mike is first and foremost a problem solver who Minnesota families can count on to overcome partisanship and put Minnesota middle class families, seniors, and small businesses before Washington special interests, millionaires, and Big Oil."

Democrats started eyeing Kline's district after the state's new political boundaries were draw in February. In the process, Kline lost conservative Carver County and gained more DFL voters.

The DCCC helps Democrats get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and helps incumbents stay in office.

Obermueller served for two years in the Minnesota House.