House Race Hotline Update: A First

State Rep. Keith Ellison won the MN 05 Dem caucus last weekend, setting up a potentially historic victory this fall.

If elected, he would be the first Muslim in Congress. He also would be MN's first African-American representative and the fifth in the House to represent a majority-white district.

His victory isn't a foregone conclusion. In MN, caucus endorsements usually determine the nomination, but at least two candidates declared they'll challenge him for the 9/12 primary.

His win also challenged assumptions among DC insiders. Sabo's CoS, Mike Erlandson, was initially considered the favorite. But caucus politics in MN are dominated by the activists, some of whom Erlandson alienated during his tenure as state party chair.

And at the caucus, he was jeered during his speech after refusing to say whether he'd abide by the party endorsement. Erlandson still may run in the primary, one with major implications. Will race and religion play a role in the 71% white CD? [JOSH KRAUSHAAR]