In Southern Minnesota, two closely watched legislative races tell more than just a tale about how politicians are trying to win over voters. These races — in two cities just 40 miles apart — illuminate the shifting fortunes and strategies of the DFL, a party that long-relied on rural pockets to win. 

Minnesota voters won’t see specific abortion questions in November, but the issue is still likely to galvanize supporters and opponents as they pick candidates for the Legislature and the governor’s office, a University of Minnesota professor told MPR News Monday.