article_snippet.sent: Freshman Republican Rep. Rod Blum currently represents the district, which covers the northeastern part of the state.
article_snippet.sent: Two other Democrats are already in the primary race:
article_snippet.sent: Cedar Rapids Councilwoman Monica Vernon and Cedar Rapids businessman Ravi Patel.
article_snippet.sent: Minnesota Sen. Al Franken.
highlights_snippet.sent: Freshman Republican Rod Blum is currently representing the 1st District .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Kroeger will be running as a Democrat and already has two opponents for the primary .