Rep. Paulsen Challenges Dean Phillips To 3 Town Hall Debates

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A heated debate on Tuesday between 3rd District Congressman Republican Erik Paulsen and Democratic challenger Dean Phillips.

The district, which includes western Minneapolis suburbs, is one of the most closely-watched races in the nation.

In 2016, Congressman Paulsen easily won re-election by double digits. But Hillary Clinton also won the district by 10 percentage points. For that reason, both parties think they have a chance of winning.

The debate was fiery, with Republican Congressmen Erik Paulsen stressing his independence from President Donald Trump.

"I am a leading voice against the President's misguided tariffs that are hurting consumers and costing industries jobs," Paulsen said.

But challenger Dean Phillips stressed Paulsen's ties to the Trump agenda.

"He talks like Jim Ramstad yet votes 98 percent of the time with the Donald Trump agenda," Phillips said.

Moderate Republican Jim Ramstad held the 3rd District seat for 18 years. He was succeeded by Paulsen in 2009.

"I know Jim Ramstad and you are no Jim Ramstad," Phillips said.

Paulsen replied, "First of all Jim Ramstad supports me and I am proud of his support."

The two candidates tangled sharply over Campaign finance issues. Phillips has repeatedly asked Congressman Paulsen to sign his Minnesota way pledge to reject outside money.

"The Minnesota away simply says let's do it that old way, let's get rid of the PAC and special interest money. Let's have no self-funding, let's get rid of all the outside spending," Phillips said.

Phillips pointed to an independent group, Open Secrets.org, which ranks Paulsen as the sixth largest recipient of PAC money among U.S. congressional candidates.

Paulsen replied, "I don't think that is a thoughtful plan at all. No. 6? I don't see where you get that figure."

Phillips replied, "Opensecrets.org."

Paulsen answered, "I am probably No. 6 on outside money being spent on me from outside organizations and special interest organizations. This is where you are hypocritical, you;re now taking money from three super PACs."

Phillips said, "Absolutely not true."

Bottom line, outside money is pouring into this Congressional district with independent groups paying for ads for and against both of these candidates.

This race is one of four Congressional seats in Minnesota currently ranked as a toss-up by the nationally-known Cook Political Report.