Quist getting ready to run in the first?

Allen Quist, a former state lawmaker and candidate for governor, has scheduled several health care forums in Rochester, Worthington and Mankato in November. The move increases speculation that Quist will run for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District (all of those cities are in the 1st). Quist's news release said he was holding the forums to discuss the health care bills being considered in Congress:

Former State Representative Allen Quist will be sponsoring a series of forums in Southern Minnesota dealing with the health care bills now in Congress. "The purpose of the forums," said Quist, "is to provide the public with accurate information about the health care proposals and to encourage the public to contact their elected officials and ask them to 'just say no' when they vote on the bills now on the floor." Quist will be joined at the forums by Dr. Brian Davis in Rochester and by Citizens Council on Health Care President, Twila Brase, R.N., in Mankato and Worthington.

A spokesman who sent out the release said Quist is considering "a run for Congress" with it being a likely possibility. He added more news will come next week.

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UPDATE:

Quist sent me this e-mail when I asked if he was in the race or filed paperwork with the FEC:

"The paperwork is in process. I have formed an exploratory committee, but that is on hold for the time being because I want to try to make a difference on the health care Bill (somewhat of a moving target to be sure) that Speaker Pelosi is attempting to pass."

Quist has already created a Quist for Congress website and Facebook page.

Quist won the GOP endorsement in 1994 but lost the primary to Arne Carlson.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz is running for a third term.