Election 2024 analysis from the Editorial Board: What 3rd District voters need from their representative in D.C.

As voters in Minnesota's Third Congressional District prepare to cast their ballots, it's clear that the outcome of this election could have a profound impact — not only for the district but potentially for the nation.

With the departure of Democrat Dean Phillips, who is leaving Congress after an unsuccessful primary challenge to President Joe Biden, the race for this open seat has drawn considerable attention as the only Minnesota congressional district not fielding an incumbent. Voters face a pivotal choice between Republican Tad Jude, 72, of Maple Grove, and Democrat Kelly Morrison, 55, of Wayzata. The outcome could help determine which party controls the U.S. House.

To assist voters in studying the candidates, the Minnesota Star Tribune Editorial Board offers an analysis of salient issues that both Morrison and Jude have identified as important to the Third District; these are also issues that resonate with extreme importance to the welfare and prosperity of Minnesota as a whole.

The Third District is geographically and economically diverse, encompassing urban, suburban and rural areas, which makes its voters' concerns broad but frequently interconnected. With inflation still weighing on households, voters are understandably looking for a representative who can address cost-of-living issues and support economic stability for families and small businesses alike. Both candidates have emphasized their familiarity with these pressures, but voters will need to decide whom they trust most to help strengthen the district's economy.

Affordable housing, for instance, is a growing concern in many parts of the district, particularly in the suburban areas. Homeownership and even rent are out of reach for some residents. Voters are keenly aware of the need for workable, bipartisan solutions that balance market dynamics with policies that enable lower-income families to also pursue dreams of homeownership.

Morrison supports a bill that would block hedge funds from buying single-family houses and would require those funds to sell off their houses to families. Jude supports tax credits and other incentives to subsidize construction of new homes.

As in many districts, public safety remains a major concern. Residents want safe communities and seek balanced approaches to law enforcement and justice reforms. The candidates have staked out somewhat different stances on public safety, although both support additional funding for it.

Jude highlights a law-and-order approach. He supports additional funding for police to recruit and retain officers. He wants federal prosecutors to intervene more in cases where he disagrees with charging decisions of progressive local prosecutors. However, he also wants funding for programs for teenagers who commit crimes, particularly in areas where juvenile detention centers have been closed.

Morrison has called for strategies that are focused on community safety alongside accountability. She supports reauthorizing a federal grant program for local police, but she also calls for more programs focused on youth crime prevention.

The business climate in the district is another pressing issue. The district is home to several national and multinational corporations such as Cargill, Best Buy and UnitedHealthcare and hundreds of small businesses, and its new congressperson must work to deliver federal support in education, training and other workforce issues.

Both candidates have stated their support for small businesses, but their visions for how to stimulate business growth and address labor challenges (especially around immigration workforce issues) may appeal to different sectors of voters in the district.

Morrison supports changes in the visa system to make it easier for people to work in the United States. She also supports giving the president emergency powers concerning the border. Jude wants to see a "sustainable and controlled" pathway to working in this country. He supports a system of work permits for industries that need employees, as well as employment opportunities for people who have received a college education in the U.S.

Both candidates have highlighted their commitment to environmental protection, though their approaches may differ. Jude points to his role in transforming abandoned rail corridors into recreational trails as evidence of concern for the environment. He also highlights his support for reducing and reusing waste energy, recycling and promoting composting programs as sustainable alternatives to landfills.

Morrison positions herself as a strong advocate for protecting Minnesota's natural water resources. She emphasizes her past leadership in the fight to protect the state's lakes from invasive species and preventing the environmental damage that could result from mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. She pledges to take swift action on climate change if elected.

Reproductive rights have emerged as an especially divisive issue in this race. Morrison, a physician, has been vocal about protecting access to reproductive health care. She supports federal legislation to codify abortion rights that were in place under Roe v. Wade.

Jude, a former district judge, opposes late-term abortion and says he would not support a federal ban on abortion, believing it is an issue for states to decide. For many in the district, this issue could be a major determining factor when casting their vote.

As Third District voters head to the polls, they should consider the issues that matter most to them. How do their interests align with the candidates' stances on many complex and often emotionally fraught issues? This race also potentially plays an outsized role in shaping the national political landscape.

Opinion editor's note:In this election cycle, instead of endorsing candidates, we are offering a studied analysis in selected congressional races that have been identified because of their competitive nature and overreaching impact on national and local issues that matter to most Minnesotans.