In Money Chase, Minnesota Dems Keep Upper Hand

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Democrats have maintained the financial upper hand in an election campaign where the party is seeking to keep a firm grip on state government power.

Fundraising reports made public Wednesday show Democratic candidates and groups outspending their Republican counterpart in key races. In most cases, the Democrats also have more money in reserve for the final six weeks.

In the governor's race, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has twice the amount of available money as Republican challenger Jeff Johnson.

As for the campaign for state House control, the current majority Democratic caucus is sitting on more than double what the Republican unit has. A swing of seven seats in the GOP's favor would flip control.

Money itself doesn't determine the outcome but it is crucial in getting campaign messages out.