Former Rep. Rick Nolan’s cash-strapped campaign received a boost this week from the state party.

The state’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party bought $120,000 in airtime to help Nolan in the Aug. 14 competitive primary to decide who will challenge vulnerable Rep. Chip Cravaack (R).

Two other Democrats are running in the primary: former state Sen. Tarryl Clark and Duluth City Councilmember Jeff Anderson. The state DFL endorsed Nolan during its convention in May.

“We are currently running ads in the Duluth market to let DFL primary voters know what an outstanding candidate we have endorsed in Rick Nolan,” said Kate Monson, the DFL’s communications director.

Nolan’s campaign could use the help. He had only raised $358,000 for his bid as of July 25 — a fraction of the $1.15 million that Clark has brought in for her campaign. Anderson raised the least of the trio, $173,000, according to his pre-primary fundraising report.

The Democratic nominee will run in one of the most competitive House races in the country this November. Roll Call rates this district as a Tossup.