Rick Nolan supports mining, he supports miners and he supports mining families. He's absolutely confident we can do projects like Polymet - and do them in the right way.
Campaign spokesperson Steve Johnson reiterated DFL endorsed candidate Rick Nolan's position on mining Monday in response to ads attacking the former congressman's record on mining issues. Johnson blasted the television ads aired by Chip Cravaack's right wing extremist friends,the American Action Network:
The Republican ads are false and misleading, with no relationship to the record or to Rick Nolan's statements on mining issues. In fact, Chip Cravaack has done nothing on mining during his one term of office but hold meetings and issue press releases. He has been 100 per cent ineffective on mining. The ads are undoubtedly intended to divert attention from that fact.
Equally outraged by the ads defaming Nolan were former Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson, State Rep. Carly Melin, and United Steelworker union member Ray Pierce Jr, all natives of the Iron Range. The three joined forces at a Monday afternoon press conference to defend their fellow Ranger, pointing to Nolan's track record of both creating jobs and permitting mining projects, and all echoing Anderson's sentiment:
Rick Nolan is absolutely right on this issue. Rick Nolan does support our mining industry and he’s going to work hard to make sure projects like PolyMet, Twin Metals and our taconite industries take place. Rick supports these projects and understands the challenges they face and he has a track record of being able to get things done, he’s not just talk.
And all three Rangers had harsh words for Cravaack, whom they characterized as "
all talk and no action" on mining, with Melin noting "
he has done nothing but hold 'feel good' meetings in Duluth, a good 70 miles from the Iron Range."
Pierce, a millwright at Minorca mine near Virginia and a USW Rapid Response team member perhaps most clearly defined the difference between supporting mining (Nolan) and being a shill for the mining companies (Cravaack):
As a miner I work and see the dangers of mining first hand. I see the pollution that can be created, and as a union member working with the corporations I see how they view their responsibilities on mining and I see 'profit first.'
...Many union members who came before me fought hard to make sure mines are safe and that mining is done responsibly....Cravaack's idea to move mining forward is rolling back safety and environmental regulations.
I live here, I work here, I have a family, a wife and 3 kids. We have to drink the water here and breathe the air here so we know its important we have the safety and environmental regulations in place.
Nolan has always been a supporter of mining, not just during election years. I know Rick Nolan's record for creating jobs as well as protecting the workers. We know our friends will never let that rollback legislation pass. Rick Nolan has worked across the aisle to make sure mining projects move forward in a safe and responsible way.
Chip Cravaack is a pretender, Rick Nolan is a leader.
Cross posted from
Iron Country Free Press