On the Iron Range, Nolan battling Mills – and Trump

WASHINGTON – Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan’s biggest challenge in his re-election fight isn’t Republican rival Stewart Mills so much as GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Nolan’s northern Minnesota congressional district is a hotbed of Trump support, even among some Democrats. Stung by the loss of blue-collar jobs in recent years, many on Minnesota’s Iron Range welcome Trump’s searing criticism of trade agreements and environmental regulations, and his pledge to help those who have fallen behind in the tumultuous global economy.

“When you’ve got a guy who is nationally talking about trade and wanting to help the miners, some of them believe him,” said St. Louis County Commissioner Tom Rukavina, a DFLer who supports Nolan.

http://www.startribune.com/on-the-iron-range-nolan-battling-mills-and-trump/392784701/