Sanders starts TV ad push into Minnesota markets

Bernie Sanders
Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, campaigns Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at a rally in Duluth, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Fresh off his convincing win in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign is wading deeper into Super Tuesday states and will start airing ads soon in markets hitting Minnesota voters.

Records on file with the FCC show the Vermont independent, who calls himself a democratic socialist, has inquired about reserving time in the Duluth-Superior area and will begin airing ads in the Fargo-Moorhead market as soon as Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, details emerged about an initial purchase in the Twin Cities of at least $275,000.

Sanders is banking on caucus states, which tend to draw the most-committed party supporters, to keep pace with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race. Minnesota and Colorado each hold a March 1 caucus along with several states with traditional primaries.

Both Democratic contenders are due to appear Friday at a major DFL Party dinner in St. Paul. The event was supposed to include former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley but he left the race after a disappointing finish in Iowa's leadoff caucus.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.