Category: The Real Erik Paulsen

New wave of attack ads shows Democrats on offense, Republicans on defense

Washington (CNN) — The DCCC and the NRCC — each party’s main congressional campaign committee — combined to release more than 20 new ads this week amid the intensifying battle for the House of Representatives, with a range of targets and messages reflecting their opposing strategic priorities in the final month of the midterm elections.

On the Democratic side, the committee is on offense, releasing new attack ads in a slew of races against vulnerable GOP incumbents, and also a key open seat race in New Mexico’s 2nd district. Among those targeted: CO-06, ME-02, VA-10, OH-01, NM-02, NJ-07, IL-13, and KY-06. The DCCC is also going up with their first ads in PA-16, NC-02 and WV-03 this week.

Some of the ads hammer GOP incumbents as out of touch with their constituents, such as the ads against Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01) — “career politician” — or Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) — “being in Congress changes people.” It’s a key message in a range of Democratic pick-up opportunities against vulnerable Republican incumbents, particularly those in districts won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.

View the complete September 29 article by David Wright and Aaron Kessler was posted on the CNN website here. (Good charts)

Grass-roots efforts aim to raise turnout in Third District

Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and DFL challenger Dean Phillips at their debate earlier in the campaign. Credit: Glen Stubbe, StarTribune

In the competitive Third District race for Congress, pitting Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen against Democratic businessman and first-time candidate Dean Phillips, supporters on both sides are turning to grass-roots efforts in hopes of boosting the Nov. 6 turnout — and securing a victory.

At an Eden Prairie house in late August, a group of volunteers organized by progressive activists from Indivisible MN03 gathered over white wine and cheese plates to write out postcards to urge women to vote for Phillips. Indivisible picked out 12,000 women who are under age 35 and voted in the presidential election but not in the 2014 midterm, hoping to encourage like-minded voters to push Phillips to victory.

The group started sending out the postcards in February and will continue peppering the 12,000 voters through October with postcards, hoping the personal handwritten notes will resonate more than a fleeting Facebook post or TV ad. The group is also door-knocking throughout the district.

View the complete September 29 article by Kelly Smith on the StarTribune website here.

Paulsen Continues Dishonest TV Campaign

New ad from Paulsen contains even more falsehoods

Excelsior, MN – After Congressman Paulsen and the special interests supporting his campaign were called out for running false and misleading ads last week, Paulsen’s campaign is doubling down on their dishonest attacks against Dean Phillips. In an effort to distract Minnesotans from his own unpopular votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act and increase the deficit by $1.9 trillion, Congressman Paulsen’s new campaign ad throws a handful of new, deceitful attacks against the wall – and again, none stick.

“Negative ads are one thing,” said Dean Phillips. “But spending millions of dollars to repeatedly and intentionally mislead voters is beneath the dignity of a member of Congress who touts his membership in the House Civility and Respect Caucus. Minnesotans have had enough, and they deserve better. That’s why I’m on a mission to change the culture of corruption caused by big money in our political system.”  

The following is an excerpt from a “Dear Colleague” letter seeking new members of the Congressional Civility & Respect Caucus, of which Paulsen is a “ founding member”: Continue reading “Paulsen Continues Dishonest TV Campaign”

House battlefield expands as ad wars hit new peak

© The Hill photo illustration

Voters across the country are being deluged by an onslaught of television advertising as candidates and big-spending outside groups dump millions of dollars on a growing battleground that stretches from the North Maine Woods to the posh suburbs of San Diego.

The two sides and their outside allies have already spent or reserved nearly a half-billion dollars in television time in the fight over control of the House of Representatives, according to data compiled by several Democratic and Republican sources watching the media landscape.

This week alone, candidates and outside groups are spending more than $63 million on television airtime in 51 districts across the country.

View the complete September 27 article by Reid Wilson on the Hill website here.

Fact Check: False Republican attack ads backfire, exposing GOP’s growing desperation

‘With no achievements for Minnesota’s middle-class families to highlight, the GOP has resorted to distorting the truth and lying to voters about DFL candidates’

Over the past several weeks, Minnesota Republican congressional candidates and their allies have taken to launching desperate attacks on their DFL opponents. Running from their records, Jason Lewis, Erik Paulsen, Jim Hagedorn, and Pete Stauber have resorted to frenzied attacks that have repeatedly been rated false and misleading by major local news outlets.

“Republicans like Erik Paulsen and Jason Lewis have been rubber stamps for the Trump agenda in Washington. Now, they’re hiding from their records. With no achievements for Minnesota’s middle-class families to highlight, the GOP has resorted to distorting the truth and lying to voters about DFL candidates. Continue reading “Fact Check: False Republican attack ads backfire, exposing GOP’s growing desperation”

With Trump in the White House, Minnesota Ticket-Splitters May Be Ready for Change

Erik Paulsen is facing a competitive challenge from Democrat Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips,Minnesota 3rd District DFL nominee, greets voters outside his campaign’s “Government Repair Truck.” Credit: Tom Williams, CQ Roll Call

PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Erik Paulsen has been a survivor.

When Hillary Clinton carried Minnesota’s 3rd District last cycle by 9 points, the Republican congressman won re-election by 14 points.

So how is it that the five-term lawmaker finds himself in trouble this year against a well-funded, moderate Democrat?

Voters Know Republicans Won’t Fight For Them On Health Care Or Tax Cuts

Voters know that Republicans don’t have their backs on health care or tax cuts. While Republicans only want to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, Democrats are fighting to increase access and affordability of care. The Trump tax law has not raisd workers’ wages as Republicans promised, but Democratic-led efforts to raise the minimum wage have increased wages for workers in states across the country.

Voters have switched parties for the midterm elections because they know that Democrats will fight for them on health care.

CNN: “The issue of health care has made Hansen a Democratic voter in the upcoming midterm elections. And in this ruby red area of Kentucky, it seems he is not the only one. Indeed, there are some signs of a blue wave in a corner of the Bluegrass State.” Continue reading “Voters Know Republicans Won’t Fight For Them On Health Care Or Tax Cuts”

SALT Cap, Tax Overhaul Plague Tax-Writers in Tight Races

SALT Cap, Tax Overhaul Plague Tax-Writers in Tight Races

Five congressional tax-writers—two on the Senate Finance Committee and three on the House Ways and Means Committee—are fighting for their political lives in midterm election races.

The outcomes may have consequences for tax policy and add to the upheaval on these panels.

The Cook Political Report currently lists Ways and Means Republicans Peter Roskam (Ill.), Erik Paulsen (Minn.), and Mike Bishop (Mich.) and Finance Committee Democrats Bill Nelson (Fla.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) as being in competitive races that candidates of either party could win.

View the complete September 20 article by Michael Bologna, Christopher Brown, Christoper Marr and Kaustuv Basu on the Bloomberg BNA website here.

Paulsen’s Deficit Moves MN-03 From Toss up to Lean Democratic

DFL challenger Dean Phillips and Rep. Erik Paulsen greeted each other at the end of Tuesday’s Third Congressional District debate in St. Louis Park. Credit: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune

Stylistically, the mild-mannered and neighborly Erik Paulsen is a good fit for this highly college-educated suburban Minneapolis seat. In 2016, he won his fifth term with 57 percent while Hillary Clinton won it 50 percent to 41 percent. But in a stunning turn, he’s now trailing badly in polls and on the verge of being abandoned by his party, in part because his votes for the GOP healthcare and tax bills shredded his moderate credentials.

Democrats have a strong nominee in vodka and gelato businessman Dean Phillips, the grandson of advice columnist “Dear Abby” and the great-great-grandson of the founder of the Minneapolis-based Phillips Distilling Company. Despite his personal wealth, he hasn’t self-funded and has sought to channel the late populist Sen. Paul Wellstone by driving around in a refurbished 1960s-era International Harvester he calls a “government repair truck.”

Republicans have sought to attack Phillips as a slicked-back, out-of-touch millionaire who calls for universal health care but didn’t offer coverage to his coffee shop employees. And Paulsen has tried to create separation from President Trump by airing an ad featuring him paddling a canoe, touting his opposition to mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. But so far, those ads don’t appear to be denting Phillips’s advantage.

View the complete September 19 article by David Wasserman on the Cook Political Report website here.

Viral “We Found BigfootI” Ad to Air on TV Ahead of Thursday Night Viking Game

Viewed over 1 million times, ad becomes first to air just once since 1990

Excelsior, MN – With well over one million views online and accolades from national media outlets and thousands of viewers calling it one of the best ads ever made, Phillips for Congress’s viral “We Found Bigfoot” online video is making its way to television. A 60-second version of the spot will air on TV during this Thursday’s Vikings vs. Rams pregame show.

In the two days following Bigfoot’s release online, Phillips for Congress raised over $86,000 and saw enormous support from individuals hoping to see the memorable ad run on TV.

“As Dean said, when they go low, we go hilarious,” said Zach Rodvold, Campaign Manager for Phillips for Congress. “So while the airwaves are crowded with dishonest attack ads — most of them targeting Dean as part of a coordinated smear campaign — Bigfoot uses a little humor to communicate a serious message. And it’s funny because it’s true: Erik Paulsen is the 6th biggest taker of special interest money in Congress, and spends his time courting his donors while avoiding his constituents at all costs.” Continue reading “Viral “We Found BigfootI” Ad to Air on TV Ahead of Thursday Night Viking Game”