Pawlenty, Emmer, Peterson and NRCC release new television ads

As election day nears and local and national groups ramp up spending, more and more ads are appearing on Minnesota televisions. Gov. Tim Pawlenty appears in an ad supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, while Emmer goes slightly negative for the first time in an ad that takes his opponents to task for their public sector work. In his first ad, Rep. Collin Peterson distances himself from key Democratic policies such as the stimulus package, and the National Republican Congressional Committee attacks Rep. Tim Walz in its second ad buy in Minnesota’s First Congressional District.

In an ad paid for by the Republican Party of Minnesota, Pawlenty says that Emmer will toe the line on stopping tax increases and essentially continue his policies.

Peterson touts his opposition to key Democratic policies, citing his votes against the stimulus and bailouts of the banking and auto industries. Peterson released an internal poll this weekend that showed him up 34 points (54 percent to 20 percent for GOP opponent Lee Byberg).

Emmer’s newest ad says, “My opponents have lived off government or lived in government their entire careers,” and that his is the only plan to balance the budget. It’s the first time Emmer has skewed negative in his campaign ads.

The NRCC hits Rep. Walz on his support for health care reform and the stimulus bill. The group is spending hundreds of thousands in the district to unseat Walz — seen by many to be the only district in the state that has a chance of switching parties.