Senate candidate’s “Open MN Tour” visits Duluth businesses

DULUTH,MN -- One Duluth business owner says the decision on weather or not to open should be up to him.

Jerry Kortesmaki owns London Road Rental Center in Duluth.

His business has been open during the stay at home order to rent equipment to construction companies.

But he says he makes a good amount of his revenue from renting out party and event equipment, two things that haven't been happening lately.

Kortesmaki spoke with US Senate candidate Jason Lewis during a stop on the republican's "Open Minnesota Tour" in Duluth Friday.

Kortesmaki says he agrees with the former congressman's position on opening the state and allowing businesses to have a choice.

"If a business doesn't want to be open, they have every right to close at any point. No body is telling any business you have to be open, that's the crazy thing of it all, but then they come around and tell us we have to be closed," Kortesmaki said.

Lewis' tour also took him to Dead On Arms Indoor Shooting Range in Cloquet, Duluth Pack, and Duluth Surgical Suites.

Lewis is running against current U.S. Senator Tina Smith, a democrat, in November.