Another audit of MNsure has been teed up. This time, it's from the feds.

Kline raised $450,000 during the last quarter of 2013, and entered this year with $1.6 million in cash on hand.

Despite the positive findings, Obermueller, a former one-term state legislator from Eagan, still faces an uphill climb against Kline on several counts.

Both districts are viewed as competitive by national Democratic strategists, who targeted Kline and Paulsen in a government shutdown-related online advertising campaign.

Tea Party activists are reacting with alarm to Rep. Erik Paulsen’s comments suggesting that he would be willing to break with GOP House leadership in order to end the federal government shutdown.

With oft-controversial 6th District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann out of the picture for the 2014 election cycle, national Democratic groups are looking for their next GOP bogeyman in Minnesota.

Rick Nolan raised $135,000 in the second quarter of 2013 and ended June with less than $200,000 in the bank. The first-term DFL incumbent is expected to face a vigorous challenge in the 8th Congressional District.

Political neophyte Thomas Craft filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission this week and launched a campaign website for a run at Kline's south suburban congressional seat. He will officially kick off his campagin at a Saturday news conference at his Eagan home.

With no groundswell predicted for either party in this year’s election, the legislative races in Eagan’s District 51 are once again likely to prove pivotal in GOP efforts to retain control of the Legislature.

One notable exception: Cravaack/Nolan CD 8 race