Corporate-funded MN Forward endorses more candidates

Independent expenditure committee MN Forward issued a slew of new endorsements earlier today. MN Forward has previously only supported GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, but their new docket of local endorsements include an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats.

The organization has become a focal point for a national debate about corporate spending in elections after the Citizens United Supreme Court decision earlier this year. MN Forward has received funding from Target and Best Buy among other Minnesota-based corporations. They’ve used that money to run ads supporting Emmer. Progressive organizations have focused on Target’s donation in particular with immigration advocates planning to protest outside a Minneapolis store today.

With equal distribution between DFL and GOP candidates, MN Forward’s new endorsements appear designed to distance the group from being associated solely with Emmer. But though they offered endorsements on their web page, the group’s YouTube page still lists the Emmer spot as the group’s only advertisement.

Below are all of the new candidates supported by MN Forward. The first three are running for the state Senate, with the last three running for a seat in the state House:

Sen. Terri Bonoff (D)

Rep. Doug Mangus (R)

Sen. Jim Metzen (D)

Rep. Gene Polowski (D)

Doug Wardlow (R)

Rep. Kurt Zellers (R)