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Minnesota's two leading political parties are opening campaign field offices throughout the state as they get ready for a 2014 election cycle with statewide races, and what's expected to be a hard-fought battle for control of the state House.

Field offices are tasked with mobilizing volunteers and motivating voter turnout through phone calls and other organizing.

The DFL is opening 18 offices throughout Minnesota. In addition to three Twin Cities-area sites, Democrats are also opening offices in Albert Lea, Bemidji, Brainerd, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Mankato, Moorhead, Morris, Rochester, Shoreview, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Virginia and Willmar.

Republicans plan to open 20 field offices, or what they are calling "victory centers."

The party already has offices set up in Rochester, Woodbury, Mankato, St. Cloud, Marshall, Eagan, Golden Valley, Blaine, Waconia and Bloomington. Offices in Bemidji, Grand Rapids, North Branch, Duluth and Brainerd are also on tap.

Republicans are facing an earlier political calendar this year as endorsed candidate for governor Jeff Johnson fights to stay alive in a four-way August primary.

State GOP Chairman Keith Downey said the offices would be put to work helping Johnson win the primary.

RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER