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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Johnson goes negative in new campaign ad

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson released a new television ad today that questions the competence of DFL Gov. Mark Dayton.

Johnson’s ad is titled “Unaware.” The narrator contends that Dayton was unaware of bonuses paid to “failed Obamacare bureaucrats,” the contents of bills he signed and the legal issues facing the owners of the Minnesota Vikings.

Johnson then appears, saying Minnesotans deserve a "governor who knows what's going on," and promising that he will to be a 24/7 leader.

In a news release, campaign spokesman Jeff Bakken said the initial buy for the ad statewide is $400,000.

“Through his own actions and words, it’s very clear that Mark Dayton is not a full-time, engaged governor,” Bakken said.

A spokesman for the Dayton campaign, Linden Zakula, described the ad as a “desperate attack” from a candidate who is far behind in the polls.

"Commissioner Johnson offers no real ideas to improve education, create jobs, or help Minnesota families,” Zakula said in a statement.