Outside groups are spending massively more to wrest Minnesota House 7B out of more than 90 years of Democrat control, a win that would recolor the Iron Range political map for Republicans and potentially end the DFL trifecta leading state government.
Campaign finance data released earlier this week show independent spending by these groups — which include party and political action committees often back by wealthy individuals, unions and corporations — overwhelmingly favored Republican candidate Cal Warwas.
Outside groups spent around $195,000 on supporting Warwas and efforts against DFL candidate Lorrie Janatopoulos, who saw only around $6,000 spent for her or against Warwas, according to data from the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board.
The lack of outside spending behind Janatopoulos could be a signal that the DFL backers consider the race less competitive than other battleground seats with narrow margins. Republican interest in flipping the district was high, even before Rep. Dave Lislegard announced his retirement in May.
Democrats on the Range pointed to a strong ground game by Janatopoulos that outpaced Warwas, despite a last-minute start to her campaign. She reached fundraising limits in September and funneled $10,000 back into the DFL House Caucus campaign fund later that month.
Millions poured into Minnesota from outside groups, mainly those backing Democrats, while Republicans reported a windfall that’s been typically more muted in recent years.
Still, the top-spending DFL groups sidestepped funding in House 7B, while three of the top Republican groups fueled a majority of $195,000 in spending. More than $25,000 flowed from Renew Minnesota, the top GOP backer, with another $54,284 from Pro Jobs Majority, $48,773 from Make Liberty Win and $19,860 from American for Prosperity – Minnesota.
The latest campaign finance reports are the last look into how candidates, parties and committees raised and spent funds this year before the Nov. 5. election. Outside money could still enter the race prior to Tuesday, but the current gap suggests grassroots support will have to carry water for the DFL in House 7B.
Leaning into the strength of the Janatopoulos ground game could ultimately prove effective. Since launching in June, the DFLer raised more than $100,000 in direct funds and in-kind donations, an amount higher than previous campaigns.
“I am beyond grateful to earn the trust of so many amazing local donors,” she said in a statement. “One-by-one, their hard-earned contributions raised an eye-popping dollar amount, and helped me fuel a robust campaign in a very short timeframe. That campaign has translated into widespread support for which I am also immensely thankful.”
Warwas raised more than $72,000 this year, carrying over more than $17,000 from fundraising efforts last year, also topping past Republican candidates for the seat.
“We’ve been blessed by so many supporters with donations from $10, all the way to $1,000, and have been grateful for whatever people can afford to give – they are fired up about this campaign,” he said in a statement. “We agreed to spending limits, and have had no issues raising everything we are allowed to spend, and even some extra.”
Direct support from industry largely stayed out of funding either candidate this year.
Lislegard routinely saw donations from individuals at Cleveland-Cliffs, Minnesota Power, and leaders from mining trade groups and companies, some without direct votes in the race. Janatopoulos built support through a different coalition of DFLers, while Warwas built on the momentum Republicans have gained recently.
Two union groups — the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 589 — evenly split donations to each candidate with $500 per campaign from each group.
The Minnesota DFL fundraising arms continued to outpace Republicans statewide, a trend that filtered into Republican-held races deemed less competitive for challengers.
In the Minnesota House 3A race between Republican incumbent Roger Skraba and DFL challenger Harley Droba, the DFLer raised nearly double the amount ($77, 855) than Skraba ($33, 799). Republicans are expected to maintain the seat, despite the financial advantage, bolstered by Skraba’s reputation last session for working across the aisle on local efforts.
The image has been changed to correct the spelling of a candidate’s name.
