Dayton buys nearly $1.3 million of TV ad time

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton is scheduled to spend $1.28 million on television ads in the Twin Cities market. A public records search of Twin Cities TV stations shows Dayton has reserved airtime to run the ads from Sept. 23 through Election Day.

Dayton, who is seeking a second term, said his ads will focus on his first term accomplishments.

"We're going to run positive ads and remind people what we accomplished like all-day kindergarten, straightening out the budget and the fiscal mess we inherited,” Dayton said.

Dayton's Republican opponent, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, said his campaign is in the process of cutting TV ads. His campaign hasn’t booked any time at the TV stations yet, but Johnson said he hopes to have ads running by the end of the month.

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"Our goal is to be on TV by the end of the month.” Johnson said. “We may be a little bit after him but not by much."

Johnson wouldn't disclose how much he intends to spend on TV ads or what his ad campaign will focus on.

Outside groups, like the liberal Alliance for a Better Minnesota and the conservative Freedom Club, have already started running ads in the race. DFL Party Chair Ken Martin says his party is also expected to spend $1 million in ads to help get Dayton reelected. Those ads are slated to start running this week.