REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. - Republicans have courted Iron Range voters by strongly supporting proposed copper-nickel mines as a new way to make money from the land.

In recent months, GOP candidates have made visit after visit to the normally Democratic stronghold, blasting Democrats for not fully jumping on board with the mines.

Then, at Farmfest in the opposite corner of the state, Republican-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden made a comment that 24 hours later Democrats and unions threw back in his face.

McFadden had just come off stage with Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken and other Senate candidates. Franken fielded a few reporters’ questions, including a follow-up on McFadden’s comment in the forum that the incumbent voted against the Keystone XL and other proposed oil pipelines.

Franken explained that he supports the Keystone being built from American-made steel, which would help the Iron Range’s taconite mines. He also said he wants the pipeline to provide oil to Americans, not for overseas sale, which could happen.

Moments later, a question put to McFadden was: If the cheapest steel comes from China, is that OK?

“I would love to see us use U.S. products when we can,” McFadden said. “But it must be cost competitive. I am a supporter of free and fair trade.”

So, Forum News Service pressed, would Chinese steel be OK?

“Yes,” McFadden replied, “If it is not being subsidized by the Chinese government.”

Democrats and the labor movement jumped on the McFadden statement.

“Investment banker Mike McFadden would take one of the largest energy projects since the Hoover Dam and stamp ‘made in China’ on it,” said Craig Olson, president of the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council. “McFadden should be creating jobs in Minnesota and the U.S., not in China.”

Gov. Mark Dayton did not enter the McFadden fray, but said in answer to a reporter’s question that Republicans should not be announcing full support of copper-nickel mining on the Range until they see an environmental report still being compiled. He said that he will withhold final judgment until he has all the information.