Republican lawyer Niska leaves Minn. AG race

Republican Harry Niska left Minnesota's race for attorney general Monday, saying that running a strong campaign would have required making too many sacrifices in his personal life.

Niska, a 37-year-old private attorney who lives in Ramsey, had been running since April. He was one of two Republicans vying for the post -- former state Rep. Doug Wardlow is the other -- that their party hasn't won since 1966.

He said on Twitter that family considerations won out over campaigning.

"In that calculus, the decision was simple: family comes first," Niska wrote.

All eyes are on Democratic three-term Attorney General Lori Swanson, who is considering a run for governor. Several Democrats have launched campaigns they say they will end if Swanson decides to run for her current office.

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