Outside groups spend big on 8th District race

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Outside groups are spending significant amounts to sway voters for Democrats Tarryl Clark and Rick Nolan ahead of Tuesday's primary in northeastern Minnesota.

The political arm of Washington-based Emily's List reported sinking more than $100,000 into TV ads and mail pieces for Clark on Tuesday and Wednesday. Emily's List helps women candidates who support abortion rights.

The group has spent more than $185,000 on the 8th District race since late July, including mailings supporting Clark and opposing Nolan and Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack.

Nolan is getting help from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which has spent $137,000 on TV ads and mail pieces since mid-July. Nolan is the party's endorsed candidate.

The winner of the primary between Clark, Nolan and Jeff Anderson will challenge Cravaack in November.