On the eve of one of the most closely watched primary elections in the state Legislature, Republican challenger Paul Gazelka is denouncing the tactics of a national anti-gay-marriage group in support of his candidacy.

Political consultant Ben Golnik will join the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus as an election consultant. He will do the work through Golnik Strategies, the firm he started in 2007. Golnik’s position was needed after chief of staff for the caucus, Culleen Sheehan, left to become campaign manager for Tom Emmer’s gubernatorial bid. Sheehan was responsible for many of the caucus’ election efforts, which Golnik will now fill in his absence.

Business-backed MN Forward raised eyebrows last week when it announced support for three DFL legislators. But the reliably Republican PAC isn't the only big cash player at the Capitol that is backing candidates on the other side of the aisle. The Education Minnesota teachers union's PAC, which most frequently endorses DFLers, has endorsed a handful of Republican incumbents who are facing DFL challengers in November.

The newly formed business-backed political action committee MN Forward has announced support today for six state legislators. MN Forward, which was formed after the Citizens United Supreme Court case that allows businesses to spend their own money to influence elections, includes three DFLers on the list.

Embattled state Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, paid off the $250,000 in back taxes he owed just in time for the Aug. 10 primary.

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's political action committee has announced its first slate of legislative candidate endorsements.

A handful of Democrats are preparing for competitive contests in the rapidly approaching Aug. 10 primary, and recently released campaign finance reports could show if they have the support to win.

A Democrat-friendly fund and a new pro-business group are flexing their fundraising muscles as they collect millions to use in Minnesota elections this year.

The Republican Party of Minnesota is reportedly on a "witch hunt" in an effort to oust GOP state Sen. Paul Koering of Fort Ripley from the Legislature.

With the Aug. 10 primary only weeks away and the general election campaign season about to kick off in full, the Minnesota House and Senate caucuses have been putting their election point people to work to support endorsed candidates.