WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman’s American Action Network has launched a $570,000 ad campaign against 8th District congressional candidate Rick Nolan.

The buy is split between the Minneapolis and Duluth media markets. In Minneapolis, Nolan is accused of supporting a “European-style health program” and, because he supports the Affordable Care Act, he is said to support a plan that “cuts Medicare by over $700 billion.”

In Duluth, the focus is on mining, and the ad hits Nolan for opposing a piece of legislation that cuts regulations on mining projects. His opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack, supports the bill and proposed an amendment that would extend it to current projects, such as the PolyMet copper mine in the 8th District (here’s the article on which the ad is based).

The two ads are part of a national $1.6 million ad buy from the AAN. The group also targeted Democratic House candidates in Illinois, Indiana and California.

Coleman chairs the AAN and former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber serves on its board.

In the last week, four outside groups have released ads in the 8th District: the House Majority PAC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee against Cravaack, and the AAN and the National Republican Congressional Committee against Nolan. Together, they spent at least $1.6 million.

Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com. Follow him on Twitter: @dhenry

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3 Comments

  1. Great DFL ads?

    We should welcome a “European style medical program.” It cuts costs and provides better results.
    And even on the Range many voters are concerned about sulfide mining.
    Collars must be tightening at the RNC as their poll results begin to fade.
    Go Nolan!

    1. Yes.

      American Action Network is a 501(c)(4) issue advocacy organization that focuses on promoting what it styles as “center-right policies.” It was established in February 2010 by Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a former adviser to the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain, and former Republican Senator from Minnesota Norm Coleman,.[1] (from Wikipedia, first paragraph)

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