| Which Republican will replace Pawlenty? |
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By T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter News that Gov. Tim Pawlenty would not seek a third term had Republicans grabbing their cell phones. Rep. Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, sitting at an environmental conference in Washington D.C. along with former Republican state auditor Pat Anderson and Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, said the news quickly reached them. “I knew Laura’s phone was blowing up,” he said with a laugh. But Brod is only one of a big group of Republicans — better than a handful locally — who are actively considering a run at governor or at least find themselves on candidate watch lists. Anderson, former U.S. senator Rod Grams, Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, former lawmaker and public safety commissioner Charlie Weaver, and Sen. Paul Koering,, are actively considering a run for governor. Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has been found on some lists, but a Bachmann spokeswoman indicated the congresswoman probably wasn’t interested. Former lawmaker and fiscal watchdog Phil Krinkie, now president of the Taxpayers League, indicated it was unlikely he would attempt a run. “At this point it is not a primary consideration,” he said. Emmer “flattered” by the mention Rep. Tom Emmer, of Delano, was “flattered” when he began receiving encouraging phone calls about running for governor, but Emmer recently indicated a greater concern for him was boosting the size of the House Republican caucus. But he would never say never, Emmer also said. Others are more direct. “I’m seriously considering that,” said Weaver, of Anoka, of running for governor. Weaver, who served in both the Ventura and Pawlenty administrations, explained that the decision was not an easy one to make. “I would be a hard thing to do — challenge the family,” he said. Winning the govenorship also presents challenges, he explained. “I think if you don’t change the (Republican) brand, yes,” said Weaver, saying Republicans must appeal to Main Street. “I’ll make a decision by September,” said Weaver. Anderson serious considering a run Like Weaver, Anderson, of Dellwood, is weighing the odds of a gubernatorial run. “I’m seriously considering it,” said Anderson, former Eagan mayor who lost reelection as state auditor in 2006 to Rebecca Otto. Mounting a gubernatorial campaign will be an “incredible feat,” said Anderson. And there’s family to consider, she explained. Recently remarried, Anderson said her husband is supportive. “I just have to make sure my husband and family are prepared for it — I know what it takes out of you,” she said of a statewide campaign. Grams, of Crown, also expressed interest in a run for governor. “I’m considering it,” said Grams. “I’ve got to look at it hard and long,” he said. But he wants the right person. “I don’t want to see any weak-kneed, weak back-boned person get into office,” said Grams. “It might be an egotistical thing, but I think I could do a good job,” he said. Grams lost his U.S. Senate seat in 2000 to former senator Mark Dayton. Earlier, Grams, who now owns radio stations along with his wife in Little Falls, served in the U.S. House. “I think that’s what gets you kind of juiced-up here,” Grams said of working to check the perceived tax and spend policies of Democrats. Kiffmeyer having family chats about running Former secretary of state Kiffmeyer said she has been “sort of having chats with the family” about the possibilities of running. “I have not made a final decision either for or against it at this time,” she said. Kiffmeyer lost the secretary of state office in 2006, but was recently elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Koering, of Fort Ripley, is yet another area lawmaker considering a run for governor. Now in his second term in the Senate, Koering recently announced the formation of an exploratory committee to test the waters of a possible candidacy. Koering views himself as conservative — perhaps not to the degree of Pawlenty, he noted — with an ability to reach across the aisle. “Which I’ve demonstrated in the last seven years,” he said. He would take a reading among party leaders and delegates over the next couple of months about the support level for a Koering candidacy. If he diagnosis support isn’t there, he’ll focus on winning a third term as state representative, Koering explained. Sullivan is on candidate list Other Republicans whose names are mentioned as possible candidates include businessman Brian Sullivan, who fought Pawlenty to the wire for the party endorsement in 2001. Also, former House Speaker Steve Sviggum, Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, of Rochester, former U.S. senator Norm Coleman, Rep. Paul Kohls, of Victoria, and senators Geoff Michel, of Edina, and David Hann of Eden Prairie., are found on lists of potential candidates. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, of Marshall, is currently weighing a run for state chief executive. Big list a plus for the party Krinkie, like other Republicans, sees the big, emerging Republican candidate field as a plus to the party. But looking at it from a cold, logistical standpoint, candidates begin to fall away, he suggested. Krinkie questions whether more than a handful of the potential candidates — Sviggum, Sullivan, Anderson, Weaver — can find the resources and have the experience to mount a successful statewide campaign. “People who have either run for statewide office or people who have held statewide office come to the dance with a whole different set of credentials,” said Krinkie. Comments (0)
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