U.S. Congressman Says Candidate's Campaign Literature Contains Unapproved Quote

U.S. Congressman Erik Paulsen took to Twitter Monday morning to make clear he did not approve of a recent mailing sent out by a Republican candidate for State Senate.

 is challenging GOP-endorsed for the State Senate District 33 seat, and an Aug. 14 primary will determine who moves on to the general election in November to face DFLer Judy Rogosheske. 

The mailing in question contains a prominent photo of Doepke with Congressman Paulsen—accompanied by a quote that reads, "I wish I could have served with Connie in the Minnesota House, she's a great Representative and a proven leader."

Paulsen, through his campaign manager, issued a statement via Twitter that read, in part, "I support the endorsed Republican candidate, David Osmek, in Senate District 33."

"It has come to my attention that the Doepke campaign recently sent a mailing with a quote attributed to me," Paulsen wrote. "I want to make it clear I did not approve this mailing or quote."

Paulsen is himself up for re-election this November and will be seeking to defeat the DFL's Brian Barnes in  a bid for a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Doepke currently represents many Lake Minnetonka communities in the State House and is seeking the District 33 seat being vacated by retiring State Senator Gen Olson. 

But it was Osmek, a current Mound city councilman and project manager for United Health, that captured the Republican endorsement earlier this summer.

The dust up with Congressman Paulsen comes on the same morning that Doepke was endorsed by the Star Tribune in an op/ed appearing in Monday's paper.

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