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Capitol View®
Brett Neely

Mills launches first TV ad, will hold DC fundraiser

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WASHINGTON - Yet another congressional candidate is getting into the fray and running ads on TV.

Republican Stewart Mills, who's running against DFL U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan in the 8th District, has launched his first ad, a spot that mixes biography and policy.

Mills touts his experience at the family-owned Mills Fleet Farm chain of stores beginning with stocking shelves and mopping floors and now managing the company's health insurance policy.

"Every day I see how Obamacare is hurting small businesses and the middle class," says Mills in the ad. In a shift from the language many Republicans have used about the Affordable Care Act, Mills emphasizes that he will "replace" the law rather than repeal it. For several years, House Republicans have said they are preparing legislation to replace the ACA but have not yet offered a replacement.

The Mills campaign would not disclose how much it was spending to air the ad. A Democrat with access to ad buying information passed along records suggesting that the campaign is spending about $3,000 this week on Duluth TV and cable and Twin Cities cable. The Mills campaign has reserved as much as $165,000 worth of ad time through  mid-July, though it's common for campaigns to change plans and not follow through with an ad purchase.

Like Democrat Mike Obermueller in the 2nd District, Mills is also using the ad as an opportunity to raise money, asking supporters to chip in to keep the ad on the air.

Mills will also be heading to Washington next week raise funds.  Second District Rep. John Kline and 3rd District Rep. Erik Paulsen will be hosting a fundraiser for Mills on May 28 at the Capitol Hill Club, according to an invitation. Individual donors are asked to contribute $500 while political action committees are asked to kick in $1,000.

Nolan's campaign did not respond to a request for a comment on the ad.

UPDATE: 

“Stewart Mills’ willingness to put the insurance companies in the driver’s seat to deny care to 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions shows that he doesn’t understand the everyday needs of middle class families," said Nolan campaign manager Kendal Killian.