The 2010 governor guessing game!
DFL Sen. Tom Bakk issued a news release yesterday announcing the formation of an exploratory committee for the 2010 race for Governor. It detailed his history and prompted people to go to his website.
It's no coincidence that Bakk issued the release just one day before the DFL state party convention starts in Rochester. It's a good chance for him to meet and greet plenty of the hardcore DFL activists.
Bakk's announcement got us thinking about the candidates who could run for governor in 2010. We're not talking about the candidates who can win - just the candidates who may decide to run. So let's go through our handy-dandy, back of the envelope list that I created (let me know if you know of others).
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Republicans
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (the GOP field is cleared if he decides to run again).
Brian Sullivan (which PIM says would be the GOP front-runner if Pawlenty doesn't run)
House Minority Leader Marty Seifert
Congressman Jim Ramstad (my head still hurts after I slapped myself for not asking about this when Ramstad announced he wasn't seeking another term. At the time he said he wasn't tired of public policy but was tired of the constant commute. D'OH!).
Rep. Laura Brod
Former Rep. Charlie Weaver
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
Sen. Geoff Michel (he didn't deny a run when he decided not to run for Ramstad's seat).
Former Sen. David Gaither
DFLers
Tom Bakk (already in)
Susan Gaertner (already in)
Former DFL Sen. Mark Dayton (he's throwing a big 'ol party this weekend)
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
Rep. Tom Rukavina
Former Rep. Doug Peterson
Former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza
Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Congressman Tim Walz
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
DFL Sen. Ellen Anderson
DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark
Rep. Joe Atkins
Sen. Steve Murphy
Private businessman Kelly Doran
Mike Hatch
Anyone else? If not, Guess away!
UPDATE:
Bill Salisbury with the Pioneer Press has a story that focuses on which possible candidates are working the DFL convention. He adds State Auditor Rebecca Otto to the mix. Read it here.