A lot of voters in MN, WI, MI, PA etc supported Sanders over Clinton, IIRC. Ignoring Russia interference and racism and other things, in 2016 the Dems were seen heavily as the party that supported big businesses and big banks over the little people. The DFL in MN ignored serious economic harm in rural areas of our state and I suspect they ignored those issues in other states as well. For all the warts guys like Sanders and Trump had, they at least spoke about it. Clinton didn't. I think progressive economic ideas could easily work in GOP leaning parts of MN. The GOP tax bill isn't looked on too well by most people, even republicans. Part of the Dems plan to be competitive in these areas should certainly go back to Bill Clinton's "It's the economy, stupid" plan. Economic gains for rural Minnesotans have continued to tank and China's tariffs on Soy are going to kill some farms in this state. The DFL has some openings if they'll try and take them.