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Rep. Zach DorholtTom Scheck / MPR News

The battle for control of the Minnesota House is attracting millions of dollars, according to fundraising numbers released this week.

Republicans need to pick up seven seats to take over the House, and Democrats acknowledge their path to retaining a majority will be struggle in an off-year election that typically favors Republicans.

For the most part, House Democrats have tried to build a firewall around 15 DFL seats they're in jeopardy of losing in November. One of those seats is in St. Cloud, where first-term incumbent Zach Dorholt is running for his political life against former state Rep. Jim Knoblach.

The House DFL Caucus wasted no time defending Dorholt, spending at least $40,000 on radio ads.

"Zach Dorholt delivered $11 million for local schools," an announcer says." On the other hand, Jim Knoblach won't fight for middle class priorities and would bring Minnesota back to gridlock."

Dorholt acknowledges that Knoblach's candidacy has raised the stakes this election year.

"It's become a little more competitive because of who I'm running against," Dorholt said. "That put this seat on the radar."

Another reason Republicans are targeting Dorholt has to do with geography. He's the only DFL legislator serving anywhere in the 6th Congressional District currently represented by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who is not running for re-election.

Dorholt is using that standing to his advantage, recently telling members of the St. Cloud Rotary Club that he has the entire region at heart.

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Democrats in fight to retain Minnesota House