The candidates for governor get in a tussle over immigration

Peter Hutchinson, Independence Party candidate for Governor, today acknowledged he is taking votes away from Tim Pawlenty. Citing the latest Pawlenty campaign attack ad, Hutchinson charged his opponent with attempting to score a cynical political point by exploiting new Minnesotans who want to attend college and contribute to Minnesota's prosperity.

"Tim Pawlenty admitted yesterday he has spent the last three weeks raising money so he can run hundreds of TV attack ads in the last two weeks of the campaign," said Hutchinson. "Now he's showing his true colors and using immigration as a wedge issue to scare voters – just like he did four years ago. Apparently, my common-sense message is gaining traction with voters and the governor has decided to resort to these desperate tactics.”