Without a statewide race for governor or U.S. senator this year, the election that matters most in Minnesota is the battle for control of the State Capitol, and especially the hotly contested House.

Republicans are currently in the majority and must stop DFLers from picking up seven seats to win back the control they lost in 2014. The stakes are high: The government decisions that affect the most people — on issues such as education, public safety, transportation, social services and everything else that goes into the state's $42 billion two-year budget — are made at the legislature. If DFLers win the House, they would likely control all levers of state government and push through expanded prekindergarten, a robust transportation plan and investments in clean water — all of which will cost big money.

Explore the current and historical balance of power in the House, this fall's most important races and profiles for every district.

Note: this analysis reflects the House as it was before the Nov. 8, 2016 election. To see the new balance of power in the GOP-controlled chamber, check out our election results page.

Notes: Each district's political leaning was calculated using candidate tenure and voting data from the last six elections.

Campaign cash highlights how much campaign money was raised by candidates, was provided as-is by Minnesota's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board as of July 2016 and may not reflect all filings or money raised by parties and candidates. Fundraising by various other committees and organizations or filings from August 2016 onward are not currently included.

Data is subject to change and will be updated as more information is collected throughout the campaign season and beyond.

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, Star Tribune analysis