In Minnesota, with Democrats Sen. Al Franken and Gov. Mark Dayton favored for reelection, the real action in 2014 looks likely to be in the state's House races, particularly in northern Minnesota. Republicans are excited about their candidates against Democratic Reps. Collin Peterson (MN-07) and Rick Nolan (MN-08), and Democrats need to take these races seriously. At this point, Nolan is slightly more vulnerable, but Republicans can't wait for Peterson to retire.On a really bad election night for Democrats, Rep. Tim Walz (MN-01) could be worth watching as well. Democrats badly wanted to target GOP Rep. John Kline (MN-02), but their initial recruit dropped out and 2012 nominee and former state Rep. Mike Obermueller is struggling to gain traction. In the safely Republican 6th CD, where GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is retiring, three credible Republicans are vying for the nomination.
MN-01: Tim Walz (D) - South: Rochester, Mankato, FaribaultLikely Democratic. Some 2006 Democratic upset victors were able to maintain their "outsider" image to weather a turbulent environment in the years since, and many others have not. Walz, a former teacher
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