Dayton endorses Nolan

Gov. Mark Dayton has endorsed Rick Nolan, a former DFL congressman who wants to challenge 8th Congressional District Rep. Chip Cravaack this fall.

Nolan, who has won the DFL Party endorsement, still faces a primary challenge from Tarryl Clark and Jeff Anderson.

"We need more than a "good vote" in a Congress. We need a proven leader who can get past the partisan gridlock and get things done," Dayton said in a press release. "We need someone that will fight to rebuild the middle class, protect Medicare and Social Security and invest in America's infrastructure. Rick Nolan is clearly the person we need representing us in Washington."

Though Nolan has the endorsement, he is so far trailing Clark in fundraising, who has raised more than $232,128. Nolan has raised $127,721.

Here's the rest of the press release:

"I am proud to endorse and I enthusiastically support Rick Nolan for Congress," said Governor Dayton. "Rick is a true common sense champion for the middle class. As a former business owner, Rick has proven he knows how to create jobs and will always fight for working families.

"We need more than a "good vote" in a Congress. We need a proven leader who can get past the partisan gridlock and get things done. We need someone that will fight to rebuild the middle class, protect Medicare and Social Security and invest in America's infrastructure. Rick Nolan is clearly the person we need representing us in Washington."

Governor Dayton's endorsement of Nolan - joining Duluth-native Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon - is significant as they carried the 8th District by wide margins in the 2010 Primary and General election victories. Governor Dayton continues to have very high approval ratings in the 8th Congressional District.

"I am extremely honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of Governor Dayton," said Nolan. "Mark Dayton has courageously stood up for working families in this state and saved us from the full on assault being waged against women, labor, and the middle class in states across the country. Governor Dayton is a true champion for middle class families, seniors and children and I am honored to have his support."

Rick Nolan is the DFL-endorsed candidate for Congress in the 8th Congressional District campaign against Chip Cravaack.

In endorsing Nolan, Governor Dayton joins the entire Senator Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken along with the rest of the Minnesota DFL Congressional delegation, numerous state legislators and local elected officials, labor leaders, and unions from the 8th District who clearly see Rick Nolan as the best candidate to beat Chip Cravaack.

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