MINNEAPOLIS — Two Republican women joined the race for the 2nd District congressional seat held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig on Thursday, a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a former state representative.

Erika Cashin, of Apple Valley, is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve and has been an advocate for women veterans as well as a human resource executive.

Regina Barr, of Inver Grove Heights, was elected to the Minnesota House in 2016 but lost to Democratic challenger Ruth Richardson in 2018. Barr is a small business owner.

Both Cashin and Barr are seeking the GOP nomination to challenge first-term incumbent Craig, who unseated Republican Rep. Jason Lewis in 2018. Former Marine Corps officer Tyler Kistner, of Prior Lake, and former Michigan state lawmaker Rick Olson joined the Republican race earlier.

The 2nd District includes southern Twin Cities suburbs and part of rural southeastern Minnesota. It was traditionally Republican territory but has been a swing district in recent elections.