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UPDATE (Oct. 19, 2014) — Details have been announced. Find out more in my new post.

UPDATE (Oct. 13, 2014) — Two sources have confirmed that Vice President Joe Biden will appear at Hibbing Community College on Thursday, Oct. 23, in support of U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan. Further details are pending. Since I work at HCC, I can safely say that I’ll be at this event and will cover it to the degree I am granted access.

(Oct. 11, 2014) — Vice President Joe Biden will likely visit Northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range on Oct. 23 to campaign for U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) in his hotly-contested race against Republican Stewart Mills.

Though details are not firm, and the location has yet to be officially set, Nolan campaign sources are confirming that Biden will likely appear with Nolan on that date.

Joe Biden has always reminded me of a politician who would do well on the Iron Range: an oversized blue-collar kid built from intellect, emotion, heart, ambition and gaffes.

The contest between Nolan and Mills is one of the highest profile races in the country. After Tuesday’s debate, and a recent poll showing a Nolan lead, this move seems built for one goal: turnout. While the outcome might not be assured, it appears the DFL has advantages if their people turn out in robust numbers.

For his part, the Minnesota Republican Party was quick to suggest that Biden’s appearance is a sign of “panic” on the part of Nolan. I first learned about the Biden appearance from a GOP press release entitled “Loyal Obama Foot Soldier, Joe Biden, Coming To Bail Out Rick Nolan.”

However you choose to interpret Biden’s visit, it solidifies MN-8 as a high profile race on the national scene.

I’ll post details as they become available. Time permitting I’ll try to cover this event for the blog.