ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A TV ad attacking Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack starts a fresh wave of televised messages focused on an important race for Congress in northeastern Minnesota.

House Majority PAC spokesman Andy Stone said Wednesday the group will spend $250,000 to air the ad starting Thursday for two weeks in the Twin Cities television market. The group is targeting Republicans as it works to give Democrats a House majority.

Outside groups are focusing on the 8th District race between Cravaack and Democrat Rick Nolan after Cravaack upset a long-serving Democratic incumbent two years ago.

The House Majority ad accuses Cravaack of charging constituents to see him.

Cravaack adviser Ben Golnik says Cravaack has “an unprecedented record of constituent outreach.”

Cravaack spoke last year to a business group that charged for a Duluth luncheon. He also held free town hall meetings in Duluth and other cities in the large district.

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