Congressional Quarterly has upgraded challenger Steve Sarvi’s prospects of unseating three-term Rep. John Kline. The beltway publication now lists the race as "Republican favored." Previously it had been deemed "safe Republican." CQ takes note of Sarvi’s military and government background in describing him as a "strong recruit," but also denigrates his second quarter fundraising figures. Here’s the blurb:

• Minnesota’s 2nd(New Rating: Republican Favored. Previous Rating: Safe Republican). Steve Sarvi is an Iraq War veteran and the former mayor of Watertown whose biography and experience make him a strong recruit for Democratic efforts to take over the 2nd District from three-term Rep. John Kline . CQ Politics is changing its rating on the race to Republican Favored from Safe Republican, indicating it is a race to watch. The DCCC has categorized the race similarly. It lists the 2nd District race as one of its 20 “Emerging Races,” which means the party is keeping an eye on the race and will get involved if Sarvi meets certain criteria to prove the strength of his campaign. However, weak fundraising for Sarvi and overall demographics give Kline the advantage in holding the district, which covers the southern Twin Cities suburbs. Sarvi reported raising $262,000 and had $98,000 on hand by June 30 while Kline raised $1.1 million and had $647,000 on hand by the same date. Voters in Minnesota do not register by party, but results from the presidential race indicate Republicans hold the advantage in the 2nd — President Bush carried the district with 51 percent of the vote in 2000 and increased his take in 2004 to 54 percent of the vote. Kline easily defeated FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley 56 percent to 40 percent in 2006.

Meanwhile the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza has released his latest House race rankings. The Third District seat held by retiring Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad is deemed the 17th most likely in the country to switch parties. Previously Cillizza has ranked the race as high as third. Here’s his take:

17. Minnesota’s 3rd district: Democrat Ashwin Madia continues to pleasantly surprise party strategists. Madia raised nearly $700,000 in the last three months — a very solid figure for a political unknown making his first run for office. Still, state Sen. Erik Paulsen draws rave reviews on the campaign trail and has more than $1 mi

Presumably that last sentences should conclude "$1 million in the bank," or something similar.