Jason Lewis dismisses campaign controversy at Republican caucuses

Jason Lewis dismissed the controversy over his Congressional bid in front of GOP caucus-goers Tuesday night, suggesting that criticism was inevitable.

"Look at the attacks on me! I must be the frontrunner," Lewis told voters at an Eagan precinct, drawing laughter. "You know what, if you're standing on principle you're going to get attacked – and I'm not going to back off. I'm a fighter."

The former talk show host is running for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. John Kline in one of the most closely watched elections in the country. While Democrats have coalesced around a single candidate, Angie Craig, the Republican field is still struggling to raise money and support. Lewis, who has the most name recognition, has had to defend remarks he made on the air about young female voters and statements on slavery in his book on states' rights.

"You can send Mr. Lewis to Washington or you can stick with the status quo, and I don't think we can afford that this time around," Lewis told voters at a precinct that backed Marco Rubio for president. "This is too important. Whether it's the life question … and defunding Planned Parenthood, whether it's getting a handle on $19 trillion of debt … whether it's getting the economy going again, getting rid of Obamacare, the stakes have simply never been higher."

Lewis told the Star Tribune afterward that the overflow crowds at GOP caucuses were responding to a "sense of urgency that the country is at a tipping point….They're looking at these precinct caucuses as where change begins and big government ends."

He isn't publically backing a presidential candidate, however, and said he would support whoever is the Republican nominee.

"I've only endorsed one candidate in this race: Jason Lewis," he said.