A national Republican group is hammering DFLers in three greater Minnesota congressional districts over the technical failures that have beset the rollout of the federal health insurance exchange.

Mills, the only declared GOP candidate in that race so far, was endorsed by a number of prominent Republicans who represent parts of the 8th District.

The modern Congress is often faulted for its inability to actually accomplish much. Even still, the members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are as good as ever in at least on area: Raising money toward their own re-election. In keeping with that trend, third-quarter Federal Elections Commission (FEC) reports find Minnesota’s delegation is pretty good at collecting checks, with at least one notable — if predictable — exception.

A new $24,000 TV ad campaign which marks the beginning of the Republican Party's attempts to knock him out of office.

Rick Nolan raised $135,000 in the second quarter of 2013 and ended June with less than $200,000 in the bank. The first-term DFL incumbent is expected to face a vigorous challenge in the 8th Congressional District.