WASHINGTON — Two Minnesota Republicans are bringing in high-ranking party members to boost their campaigns this week.
First, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson will be in Plymouth for a business tour with Senate candidate Mike McFadden on Tuesday. McFadden has often pointed to Johnson, a businessman-turned-politician, as one of the lawmakers he’d look to emulate if he’s elected to the Senate this fall. McFadden is challenging Sen. Al Franken.
On Wednesday, Louisiana Rep. John Fleming will be in Alexandria for a fundraiser and an Affordable Care Act roundtable with Torrey Westrom, Rep. Collin Peterson’s opponent in the 7th District. Fleming, a physician, has long been a critic of the ACA, a law Westrom has vowed to repeal.
Congress’ five-week mid-summer recess gives lawmakers a lot of time to play politics around the country, and Minnesota politicians have taken advantage of that on both ends. Rep. Rick Nolan, for instance, held a campaign rally and fundraiser with Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy last week, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar made August trips to Iowa and New Hampshire to stump for Senate candidates Bruce Braley and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen respectively.
Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com. Follow him on Twitter: @dhenry