Bob Anderson is campaigning old-school style as he runs against state Sen. Karin Housley for the Republican nomination in the special election for the seat now held by Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
So far this month he has visited more than a dozen communities outside the metro area. Along the way, he's been talking to local radio shows.
"They get it out there," he said in an interview. "The momentum is catching fire." He thinks he's got a shot at an Aug. 14 primary upset.
Anderson, a dental technician from Hastings, boasts on his campaign website that he has no "swamp credentials." His campaign's Twitter hashtag: #BobBitesBack.
His website features links to President Donald Trump. "Vote for a fighter in 2018, like you did in 2016," it says.
The GOP-endorsed Housley also backs many Trump policies but has objected to his separation of immigrant families and has said she wouldn't support a U.S. Supreme Court nominee who takes a stance on abortion rights before hearing a case.
Those differences make Housley "a late fan" of the president, Anderson said. "I didn't see her at the inauguration," which he attended. He's been pushing her to debate, so far with no luck, he said.
Anderson ran as an independent against former GOP U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in 2008 and 2010 and last year failed to win the GOP endorsement for a special election in Senate District 54.
