Johnson Brands Dayton As 'Unaware' In New Ad

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican challenger Jeff Johnson is stepping up his criticism of Gov. Mark Dayton with a new ad painting the Democrat as an uninvolved leader.

In the ad, a narrator recounts several issues the governor wasn't aware of during his first term, like bonuses given to MNsure officials during the health exchange's troubled rollout and Minnesota Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf's legal troubles as the state lined up funding for a new stadium.

The camera then cuts to Johnson, who says he'd be a more engaged leader. The GOP contender released the ad Thursday.

Johnson's campaign says it has put in $400,000 to air the ad starting Thursday. Dayton campaign spokesman Linden Zakula called it a desperate attack ad from a candidate who's behind.