Business-backed PACs continued their fundraising push in the late summer as the focus shifted from contested primaries to November's general election. Most of their spending was dedicated to supporting first-term Republican incumbents in swing districts.

On Tuesday hundreds of labor unions, business groups, lobbying shops and other independent political organizations submitted reports detailing how much money they’ve raised so far this year, what they’ve already spent and how much they have in the bank.

Target Corp. has formed a new committee to review political donations following backlash last summer over a contribution the company made to MN Forward.

Political funds MN Forward and Minnesota’s Future, which have spent money on ads supporting GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer and attacking DFLer Mark Dayton, have raised more than $3 million this year.

It's getting down to the final days of the 2010 campaign season, and candidates and third-party groups are rapidly releasing television ads in the Minnesota governor's race before Election Day arrives.

Best Buy has given $25,000 to both the RGA and DGA, while United Healthcare has given $175,000 to the RGA and more than $125,000 to the DGA.

Union-backed independent political expenditure group Alliance for a Better Minnesota is out raising - and spending - pro-business group MN Forward in the Minnesota governor's race.

The Washington gay rights group that contributed to Minnesota Democrats to counter money funneling to Republican governor candidate Tom Emmer is now looking to raise even more cash in the state.

Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel has sent a letter to employees apologizing for the company's $150,000 donation to MN Forward, the pro-business group that is running television ads on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. The retailing behemoth had been criticized, particularly by GLBT groups, for supporting Emmer's campaign.

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.