Minn. Congress Hopeful Turns Remodeling Pitchman

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota congressional candidate is moonlighting as a remodeling company pitchman in an unusual TV ad that sparks campaign finance questions.

Republican candidate Tom Emmer appears in a construction company's ad endorsing their work. In doing so, he notes his bid for office and stands in front of a campaign banner.

It's not clear who paid for the ad or whether Emmer would account for it on his federally required finance reports.

An Emmer campaign aide said a written statement was forthcoming. An employee at Elk River-based Integrity Exteriors & Remodelers Inc. deferred comment to the company's owner, who wasn't available.

Emmer is among several Republicans angling to replace retiring GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. He was the Republican nominee for governor in 2010.

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