Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack and DFLer Rick Nolan focused on jobs on the Iron Range during their last debate of the campaign in Virginia, the heart of northeastern Minnesota mining country.

Cravaack critcized Nolan for supporting the industry when he's backed by environmental groups that want to shut down mining in the 8th district, MPR says.

Nolan says he's also supported by members of the steel workers union and is advocating for a new institute in Duluth to research ways to continue development of the mining industry in a safe way.

MinnPost reports Cravaack calls for tax-cuts including an across-the-board 25 percent rate for corporations to spur hiring, but Nolan says the tax should be rewritten to give incentives for companies to keep jobs in the United States.

The clash over medicare has carried through the campaign. The Associated Press reports Nolan accused Cravaack of trying to do away with Medicare, while Cravaack has no plans to save it.

The candidates did agree on preserving the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth.