The leader of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party this week identified the District 27A House of Representatives seat as one of the party’s top targets moving into the November election.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin of Eagan said with close legislative margins in both the House and the Senate, the party is working diligently to overtake Republican Rep. Rich Murray, of Albert Lea, who is running for his second term.

“A race like this could really control which party is going to be in control of the House of Representatives next year,” Martin said.

Murray won his seat in 2010 against former District 27A Rep. Robin, DFL-Moscow Township, by 57 votes, after a state-mandated recount. Brown had served two terms.

In the upcoming election, Murray, the owner of ISC Financial Adivisors, will face off against former Wells Mayor Shannon Savick, a DFLer, and William Wagner, I-Geneva.

Savick worked in the computer industry for 28 years and is currently retired. Wagner owns a small hobby farm with goats, pigs and a cow.

Martin said he thinks Savick has “a good shot” of winning, noting that redistricting, which moved the district west into Wells, will be a plus for Savick.

“It will be a competitive race,” he said.

He noted that while Savick will have some challenges, she is also a hard worker.

When contacted Friday about Martin’s comments, Murray said he was not surprised the DFLers are targeting his seat because of the margin of victory in the 2010 race.

“But I’m not worried about it,” Murray said. “We’re out working pretty hard. I’m getting very positive feedback all over the district.”

He said he has already knocked on more than 4,000 doors — about 1,000 doors a week — and has been a part of four parades.

He noted he has had several people come up to him and thank him for his work.

“I think I’ve worked hard for the district, and I’m going to work hard for the balance of this campaign,” Murray said.