 St. Louis County has released a series of emails between County Commissioner Pete Stauber and the National Republican Congressional Committee after a court order. Stauber, the GOP candidate for the 8th District Congressional seat, exchanged the messages on his county government email account. The Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party sued for access arguing the email's Republic data. A judge on Monday ordered them released several emails outlined meetings with Republican lawmakers about an Obama administration decision to block mineral prospecting near the boundary waters. Stauber also requested opposition research on a political opponent. DFL chairman Ken Martin says the email shows Stauber used taxpayer resources as recently as April to advance his political career. Now, Stauber faces Democrat Joe Rodinovich. That race is considered a prime GOP pickup opportunity.