RHINELANDER - With only two days until the elections politicians are taking every opportunity to reach out to voters.

The 7th Congressional Race is now the most expensive in the state.

Republican Representative Sean Duffy and Democratic challenger Pat Kreitlow have jointly spent more than $8 million on their campaigns.

In an area where manufacturing companies provide most of the jobs, ensuring small businesses succeed is a top priority for 7th district candidates.


Democratic candidate Pat Kreitlow "Small business owners around here deserve relief in a couple of different ways. One it's small middle class families where those small business are who should see tax relief by extending tax reliefs for 98% of Americans but also there should be tax credits for businesses that hire workers."

With Environmental Protection Agency regulations like Boiler MACT which requires paper mills to reduce pollution emissions--some small businesses struggle to stay successful.

Republican candidate Sean Duffy said, "We've passed over 30 jobs bills that have taken the weight of government off our small businesses like manufacturing and our farmers. It's important we let them focus more on running their businesses and expanding, growing, and hiring people instead of dealing with government, the red tape, rules, and regulations."

In the Northwoods, unemployment teeters close to 8%. Putting people back to work is what Congressman Duffy says is the only way to fix our deficit.

"The most important thing we can do is grow the economy. There's not a correlation with raising tax rates and bringing in more revenue. There's a correlation with the economy and putting more people back to work. When more people are working and making more wages more money comes into the federal government," said Duffy.

"Deficit reduction is only going to come with a balanced approach. You can't tax your way to prosperity. You can't cut your way to prosperity. Mega millionaires need to pay their fair share and make sure they're not paying a lower rate than hard working families around her. But you also have to go after the wasteful spending," said Kreitlow.

Growing up Kreitlow says his family struggled. He waited in line with his mother for food stamps. And was the first in his family to attend college. He says his story shows he's more in touch with hard working Americans.

Kreitlow said "My story is much more like there's. My work ethic is like theirs. We're very practical folks around here."

As a father of six and someone who grew up logging in Wisconsin, Duffy says he's more in touch with voters than his opponent.

Duffy said, "I've been open and accessible making sure I'm listening to voters whether it's my town hall at least once every year per county I've done more than that with coffees with your congressman."

Kreitlow and Duffy will continue traveling around the state reaching out to voters. Both candidates say they're confident going into Tuesday's race. »

Story By: Jenn Sullivan