Last week, we reported that Congressman Erik Paulsen (CD3) has endorsed Dave Osmek for the MInnesota State Senate in District 33.
Connie Doepke – endorsed yesterday by Lori Sturdevant the Strib, apparetly doesn’t think the people in her district need to know that.
Over the weekend, Doepke’s campaign apparently sent out a lit piece, with a picture of Doepke with Paulsen – and, most troublingly, a quote from Paulsen, and the Congressman’s signature.
This is a fairly clear implication, to those who aren’t paying attention, that Congressman Paulsen – who is on his way to what might be a three-digit victory over the hapless Brian Barnes this fall – endorses Connie Doepke.
Siources tell me none of this was authorized or written by Paulsen’s campaign. And now Congressman Paulsen’s office has released a statement:
Statement from Congressman Paulsen regarding the Republican Primary in Senate District 33
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: John-Paul Yates (952) [phone number redacted]
“It has come to my attention that the Doepke campaign recently sent a mailing with a quote attributed to me. I want to make it clear I did not approve this mailing or quote and I support the endorsed Republican candidate, Dave Osmek, in Senate District 33.”
Erik Paulsen
No word yet whether the Star/Tribune’s editorial board thinks this is one of those “thoughtful, pragmatic” moves they crowed about in their endorsement over the weekend.
If you live in the 33, please vote accordingly.
Hopefully Osmek raises this point in a debate if he ever debates Doepke leading up to the primary.
I think that a Osmek mass mailing of the Paulsen press release might be helpful.