Minnesota Governor's Race Eases Into TV Ad Phase

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Republican candidate Scott Honour has put up a round of television ads ahead of next month's primary election to determine his party's nominee for governor.

Honour adviser Pat Shortridge says the ads are airing statewide on cable television, specifically the Fox News Channel. That station is viewed as prime ground to connect with GOP voters. The businessman is spending up to $20,000 for the initial run of his no-frills ads, where he presents himself as an outsider.

He's the first candidate in the race to air TV ads this summer, although two rivals had a small commercial presence ahead of May's state Republican Party convention.

Honour's primary opponents are Jeff Johnson, Marty Seifert and Kurt Zellers. The Aug. 12 winner will face Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton.

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