Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips says Minnetonka campaign office burglarized

A Minnesota congressman says his Minnetonka campaign office was burglarized overnight.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips tweeted the news of the break-in on Sunday, along with a photo of a shattered glass door.

"To the thieves stealing campaign signs from my supporters' lawns across the district and the criminals who broke into our Minnetonka campaign office overnight, the irony isn't lost on me," Phillips wrote. "Your disregard for law and stoking of fear and disorder, only increases my resolve."

A campaign aide confirmed that a number of items, including a computer, were stolen from the office. He did not provide a damage estimate.

"We are working with law enforcement and reviewing security footage to identify those responsible, who will be prosecuted with the full force of the law," campaign manager Richard Carlbom said.

Phillips won election in the Third Congressional District in 2018, flipping the western suburban seat for Democrats for the first time in decades. He faces Republican Kendall Qualls on the November ballot. In a statement, Qualls said his campaign condemns "the increasing violence and lawlessness in our communities, whether it takes place against Minneapolis businesses, my opponent's campaign office or through repeated thefts of his and our campaign lawn signs."

"This type of behavior is despicable," Qualls said. "I know our local law enforcement agencies will be working hard to investigate and seek justice for everyone impacted."

Torey Van Oot • 651-925-5049