FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - Campaigns in the 8th district have ramped up now that the primary election is in the past.

Blocks away and minutes apart, Chip Cravaack supporters and DFL'ers standing behind Rick Nolan had separate gatherings to kick off the election's next stage.

The gatherings started at London Road Rental as U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R) visited to explain that his view for change in the 8th district is that government should start tightening its belt.

Cravaack used the business as a backdrop for his thoughts against taxing larger incomes.

"We cannot tax the small business owner then turn around and chastise them for not creating jobs; it just doesn't work like that," Cravaack said.

Cravaack called his newly–selected opponent, Rick Nolan, a "big government guy" and someone who would push the country into more debt.

"I see government more to be the problem," Cravaack said. "I see regulations be more impeding than actually prospering the process."

A much louder, crowded get-together at the Labor Temple brought together DFL leaders standing their ground.

"The real question is what kind of government do we have; do we have a good government?" Rick Nolan (DFL) said.

Nolan said his own experience in small businesses would bring the right views to the table in Congress.

Those who lost their seat to him Tuesday joined in, too.

"We know how important it is that we are moving forward to make sure that he is a 1–term congressman," Tarryl Clark said.

"Let's start working today, let's start working every day between now and November 6th to elect Rick Nolan," Jeff Anderson (DFL) said.

In the end, DFL leaders said they were not taking the upcoming election for granted and that the next 80 days will require them to roll up their sleeves and "take back the 8th."