Dayton joins TV ad race

• Dayton

File Photo: Mark Dayton talks about why he picked state Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon as his running mate.

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ST. PAUL — Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is reintroducing himself to Minnesotans as he seeks the Democratic nomination for governor.

A 60-second television commercial running in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Fargo-Moorhead, Rochester, Mankato and on cable television systems began Monday night. It highlights the 9,000 miles he has traveled the state in the year he has been running for office. It also prominently mentions his family’s founding of Dayton and Target departments stores.

The advertisement, which Dayton himself mostly funded, is the first of a series that the candidate said he expects to run until the Aug. 10 primary election.

The spot is meant to reintroduce Minnesotans to the former senator, who said: “Not all of them have a favorable impression of me.”

Republicans reminded reporters that Time magazine declared Dayton a terrible senator and he gave himself an “F” for his job. They released a Web video about him.

Deputy GOP Chairman Michael Brodkorb said he expects Dayton to win the Aug. 10 primary against House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and former state Rep. Matt Entenza because Dayton has plenty of money to spend.

Kelliher has not appeared on a TV commercial, but Entenza is running his second one.

“The things that made Minnesota great are disappearing,” the current Entenza ad says. His first one, like Dayton’s, introduced himself to voters.

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Dayton commercial:

http://markdayton.org/mainsite/video-archives/2010/06/14/9000-miles/

Entenza commercials:

http://entenza.com/multimedia/Video

Republican Dayton video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vC5jkNjz-dYg

Davis reports for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Daily Globe.

Tags: st paul, news, minnesota, dayton, tv, ad, governor