AG Candidates Using 'Secret Tapes' In Latest Attacks
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's an election campaign that's turned into a political brawl.
The latest round: dueling secret tapes.
Republican candidate for attorney general Doug Wardlow campaigned Sunday in Hastings.
Clinging to a lead in the polls, he could be Minnesota's first Republican attorney general in 48 years.
Now, Democrat Keith Ellison is highlighting a secret tape recording of Wardlow promising to fire Democrats if he's elected.
Ellison is calling it a "political purge" and promises civil service protection for attorneys in office.
"I'm saying I don't really care what peoples' party affiliation is," said Ellison. "I care whether they have a passion for serving Minnesotans."
WEB EXTRA: WCCO Election Guide 2018
The Wardlow campaign is firing back with a secret tape of its own -- showing Ellison appearing to suggest he'll oppose laws he doesn't agree with.
Top Republican leaders said Ellison must enforce state policy, calling anything else a breach of law -- and possibly the constitution.
"He's going to decide whether he will enforce state policy or not," said Sen. Warren Limmer. "That definitely is not his role and it is inappropriate."
