“First-time candidate and successful businessman Dean Phillips is running an inclusive campaign that starts with listening,” said DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján. “While Dean tours the district in his 1960’s milk truck, his opponent has lost his way in Washington and is selling out to the highest bidder. Dean is bringing a refreshing approach to fix a broken Republican-controlled Washington and bring people together to flip this seat in November.”
The primary results in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District set up a competitive race between successful businessman and entrepreneur Dean Phillips and vulnerable Rep. Erik Paulsen.
Given Paulsen’s track record of putting special interests ahead of his constituents, it’s no wonder enthusiasm and energy is on the side of Phillips, who is running an innovative campaign centered on coffee and conversation.
Phillips believes our politics are broken and that representation begins with listening. While he’s been crisscrossing the district in his 1960’s Government Repair Truck, Paulsen has been gallivanting around the country with his donors. Phillips is making campaign finance a top campaign issue. He’s one of a handful of candidates in the country who refuses PAC money of any kind, while Paulsen is the 6th highest recipient of PAC money in Congress.
The contrast between Phillips and Paulsen couldn’t be more clear. While Paulsen desperately tries to paddle away from his loyalty to President Trump, he’s been voting to advance his agenda 98 percent of the time in D.C. This will be a huge liability in this suburban, well-educated district that voted for Hillary Clinton and is looking for a different direction in Washington.
This gives Dean Phillips an opening to take back this competitive seat one conversation (and boat ride) at a time.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Star Tribune Headline: “Dean Phillips Takes His Campaign On The Road – And Lakes – Hoping To Unseat Rep. Erik Paulsen” [Star Tribune, 7/25/18]
New York Times Headline: “For Voters Sick of Money in Politics, a New Pitch: No PAC Money Accepted”[New York Times, 8/12/18]
KSTP: VIDEO: TRUTH TEST: Does Paulsen ‘Stand Up’ to Trump? “I’ll stand up to my party or President Trump to protect Minnesota,” Paulsen goes on to say in the ad. However, he doesn’t give any other examples. It might be because there are not many to choose from. According to the FiveThirtyEight website’s congressional vote tracking, Paulsen has voted 97.7 percent in favor of bills also supported by Trump. [KSTP, 7/20/18]
City Pages Headline: “Erik Paulsen’s Campaign Funded Almost Entirely By Corporations And The Wealthy”[City Pages, 4/12/18]
Vice President Pence: “Congressman Paulsen Has Been Fighting Everyday Shoulder to Shoulder With President Trump” [Pence in Minnesota, 3/28/18]
MinnPost Headline: “Another Analysis Puts The Minnesota CD3 Race In ‘Toss Up’ Category” [MinnPost,3/9/18]