U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is coming to Minnesota this week, bringing his firebrand progressive style — and some level of grassroots star power — to bear on the statewide race for attorney general.

In events in Duluth and Minneapolis on Friday, Sanders will stump for fellow liberal U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, who’s running in the Democratic primary for attorney general instead of re-election to his Minneapolis-based seat in the U.S. House.

Sanders’ visit comes days after House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., visited several Twin Cities businesses Monday, lending his national exposure to Republican U.S. Reps. Jason Lewis and Erik Paulsen, both of whom are seeking re-election and face Democratic challengers.

Of course, anyone who doubted how important Minnesota is in the national political landscape this election cycle need only recall three weeks ago, when President Donald Trump was in Duluth to rally support for a number of Republican candidates, including Republican congressional candidate Pete Stauber, who’s running for an open seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, a Democrat who isn’t seeking re-election.

In the head-spinning game of musical chairs that is Minnesota’s current candidate field, Nolan is running for lieutenant governor on the ticket of Democrat Attorney General Lori Swanson, whose choice to run for governor instead of re-election created the vacancy that drew in Ellison.

Ellison, a six-term congressman, is part of a crowded Democratic-Farmer-Labor field in the Aug. 14 primary election that also includes Mike Rothman, Debra Hilstrom, Matt Pelikan and Tom Foley. Pelikan has the party’s endorsement.

Three Republicans — Doug Wardlow, Bob Lessard and Sharon Anderson — are running in the Republican primary. Wardlow has the party’s endorsement. Noah M. Johnson is running for the office under the “Grassroots – Legalize Cannabis” party.

Sanders will appear at 11 a.m. at First Avenue in Minneapolis and at 5 p.m. at Denfield High School in Duluth. Tickets are required for each event. Related Articles Minnesota’s Legal Marijuana Now Party congressional candidate dies; election for 2nd District postponed

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It’s not the first time Sanders has backed Ellison. In November 2016, he supported Ellison for chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Ellison lost but then was unanimously elected as deputy chair.

This report includes information from Forum News Service.