GOP Congressional Candidate Stewart Mills Releases First Ad
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The campaign for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District in northern Minnesota went airborne Wednesday.
Republican candidate Stewart Mills unveiled a new, one-minute-long television ad Wednesday, essentially re-introducing himself to voters.
Just like two years ago, this is going to be one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the country.
Republicans think they can flip this district from Democratic Congressman Rick Nolan.
Mills' ad, which has a high production value, covers his roots and character.
"I've known Stewart since he was 16-years-old. He's always worked hard. He worked for the parts department at Mills Ford," said one of Mills' former co-workers in the ad. "He's one of these guys who's not afraid to get his hands dirty and do what it takes, and I think it's time for somebody like that."
The focus of the ad may cause a disconnect in some Minnesotans who are already familiar with Mills -- one of the wealthiest men in the state. His family runs Mills Fleet Farm, which was sold to a New York investment firm in January.
Another one of his former co-workers featured in the ad says Mills "worked from the bottom up," even though the Ford dealership where they worked together was owned by Mills' family.
Mills is trying to play the anti-Washington card, which is being championed by both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders in this election cycle. And he has changed his appearance, losing the rock-star hair that became fodder in attack ads during his last campaign.
This 8th District race is expected to attract a lot of money again, as Democrats work hard to keep Nolan in office, and Republicans try to turn the table.