Republican gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert is challenging opponents to refuse campaign contributions from lobbyists.
The former legislator from Marshall claims he has never accepted lobbyist contributions in his previous campaigns and will hold to that standard his newest quest for the governor's office.
"Not accepting lobbyist contributions so far this election ... has made my campaign unique," Seifert said Tuesday in a statement. "I feel strongly that my opponents should also agree to live by this same standard."
The other gubernatorial campaigns could not immediately be reached for comment.
Seifert has twice lost the GOP endorsement for governor. He is now running in an Aug. 12 Republican primary against the GOP endorsee Jeff Johnson and Orono businessman Scott Honour, who has tapped his personal fortune to beef up his fundraising efforts. Former House Speaker Kurt Zellers, a Maple Grove Republican, is also running in the primary.
DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, who has tapped his personal wealth to finance previous campaigns, has agreed to limit his campaign spending to about $3.6 million in his quest for re-election.
