Boom:
Two sources have confirmed that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will announce that he will not seek re-election in 2010.
The sources confirmed to WCCO-TV political reporter Pat Kessler that the announcement about Pawlenty’s future plans will include an announcement that he will not seek a third term.
The announcement is expected to be made at a 2 p.m. press conference.
The Democratic field for Governor is already absurdly large, and one wonders whether Pawlenty’s decision will inspire a few other fence sitters to take the plunge. (As an aside, I suppose this frees T-Paw up to dick around with the certification of the Senate election for Al Franken.)
Anyone have any ideas as to who the Republicans will nominate? A comebacker for ex-Rep. Jim Ramstad, perhaps?
(H/T: Ben Smith)
He narrowly lost the nomination in 2002 to Pawlenty; not sure what he’s up to nowadays (he used to be my neighbor) but if he wanted it I’m sure the base would rally for him again. Ramstad is an obious choice; however, as I said in the diaries, Ramstad would be great in a general but may be too moderate for the activists that normally attend the state convention to nominate him. Michelle Bachmann has also stated interest and could hypothetically win a primary, but she’d be crushed in a general. Other GOPers could include former Senator Rod Grams (he’d run but would definitely lose), State House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (about the only other recognized Republican in the State Capitol next to Pawlenty), Rep. John Kline, and ’06 Senate candidate Mark Kennedy (I doubt this one though, as his campaign was so poorly run last time he’d have a hard time getting people to donate to him). Norm Coleman is listed as a possibility, but he ran for the same job in ’98 and got embarassed by Ventura. Beyond the recount fiasco, his record for statewide elections is bad (1 for 3).
Pawlenty was already going to face a tough race given his iffy approval ratings and controversial tenure (remember, he barely held on in 2006). And the DFL did manage to lose open governor’s races in 1990, 1998, and 2002.
a prochoicer could never win the GOP endorsement and at this point, he’s had enough.
sullivan, brod and state senator geoff michel are all possibilities on the GOP side.
since Hillary Clinton announced she was running for president.
I’d bet 100 bucks (to be given to the Democratic nominiee) that Ramstad will not be nominated by the Republican Party. I’d bet a lot more if I had it.
My money is on Brian Sullivan. Rich, conservative, lost to Pawlenty by a hair in 2002.
Here’s all the names I’ve heard floated in no particular order
Current or former federal reps:
US Rep. Michelle Bachmann
Former Senator Norm Coleman
Former Senator Rod Grahms
Fmr US Rep Jim Ramstad
Misc:
Rich guy Brian Sullivan
Former TPaw COS Charlie Weaver
former auditor/anti-tax activist Pat Anderson
State Senators:
David Hann
Geoff Michel
State Reps:
Paul Kohls
Laura Brod
fmr speaker Steve Sviggum
minority leader Marty Seifert
while I’d love to see Bachmann get crushed statewide….I’m not sure I want her to run. I think that we have a better shot at the 6th district with her there we do without her.
My dream candidate for the Repubs would be Rep Kline of the second. He won’t win statewide and that will give us an open seat shot at his congressional seat.