WASHINGTON — Democrat Terri Bonoff, who is running to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, got a video endorsement from the top of the party on Wednesday: President Obama.
Obama endorses Paulsen challenger Terri Bonoff in new video
Obama says they need more people like the Minnetonka DFLer in Congress
October 20, 2016 at 4:17AM
Obama recorded a video for Bonoff, whose son Joe Paulsen is Obama's closest aide in the White House.
"Some say you learn a lot about a person by how they raise their kids," Obama said. "Terri is running for Congress, and we need a lot more people like her in Washington."
The ad is one of a handful of videos Obama has cut this week for Democratic House hopefuls. Vice President Joe Biden also endorsed Bonoff in late September.
No other Minnesota House Democrats or those running for seats in Minnesota have received endorsements from the White House — at least so far.
Minnesota's Third Congressional District, which includes the Twin Cities' western suburbs, is considered a battleground. Voters there have elected Obama twice, both Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. They have also sent Paulsen to Capitol Hill for four, two-year terms. Democrats nationally see the district as winnable and are hoping headwinds this year sparked by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump will hurt Republicans down the ballot.
In debates and in commercials, Bonoff has tried to tie Paulsen to Trump.
"It is a true honor to have the support of Barack Obama and I am proud to have my son working by his side," Bonoff said. "From addressing gun violence prevention to combating climate change, I am committed to representing my community."
Allison Sherry • 202-383-6120
These Minnesotans are poised to play prominent roles in state and national politics in the coming years.
