Republican Seifert ponders 2010 run for governor

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- House Minority Leader Marty Seifert Wednesday took a baby step toward a full-fledged run for governor in 2010. The Marshall Republican told the Capitol press corps he won't be leading the charge on the House floor next session.

He said he's stepping down from his leadership post to avoid any conflicts or distractions as he ponders a bid to replace Governor Tim Pawlenty.

"Your job as minority leader is to recruit candidates, raise money, manage the staff, and manage the 47 members," Rep. Seifert explained, "And if you are distracted in any way, even if it's kicking the tires to run at some other type of office, that is not fair to the membership."

Seifert's comments came just a day after Governor Pawlenty abruptly announced he won't seek a third term. His move fueled speculation he's gearing up for a shot at the White House in 2012, and it opened the bottleneck of fellow Republicans with gubernatorial aspirations.

"I believe in Ronald Reagan's 11^th commandment of not speaking ill of another Republican," Seifert said when asked about the infighting that will occur during the endorsement battle.

"I encourage everyone to get in that has any interest. The opportunity is there. Everyone will get their ideas out on the table."

Seifert wouldn't be the only Capitol insider in the Republican field. Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria, Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie and Sen. Geoff Michel of Edina are all considering jumping into the race. Former House Speaker Steve Sviggum, former state auditor Pat Anderson, former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams, and Charlie Weaver are all giving it serious thought.

Weaver, Pawlenty's long-time friend and former chief of staff, served as public safety commissioner in the Ventura administration. Other names that come up are businessman and party activist Brian Sullivan, who lost the endorsement fight to Pawlenty in 2002.

Senator Norm Coleman may also figure into the dynamics of the 2010 race, if he doesn't prevail in his legal challenge of the 2008 senate election results. He trails Democrat Al Franken by 312 votes pending a decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

"Some people think that because I have a top position in the Legislature that I start out as some type of a front-runner," Seifert told reporters, "I've been an underdog my whole life."

Democrats weigh in

Democrats seeking the state's top job are also adjusting to a new post-Pawlenty political landscape.

"I think that the public is going to pay more attention more quickly to the governor's race in 2010 now because it's an open seat," Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner told KARE Wednesday.

"The positive thing about Tim Pawlenty not running is it will force all the candidates on both sides to talk about what they want to do, what they want to accomplish, articulate a vision for moving Minnesota forward."

Another Democrat actively campaigning for the DFL endorsement, Rep. Paul Thissen of south Minneapolis, said the thing that surprised him the most about Pawlenty's exit from the 2010 race is how early it came.

"The dynamics for me really aren't changing that much because the campaign never was about whether governor Pawlenty was going to run again or not," Thissen said, "It's really about what kind of future do we want in Minnesota and we're at a crossroads."

"The last ten years we've been going in the direction of everybody's on their own. Minnesota succeeds best when we understand we do owe some obligations to each other.

Thissen and Gaertner will have plenty of company as they dial for dollars and delegates in the run up to next year's DFL state convention in Duluth.

Former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza of Saint Paul, Senators Tom Bakk of Cook and John Marty of Roseville already had active campaigns, as do former U.S Senator Mark Dayton and former state Sen. Steve Kelley.

House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher is widely believed to be positioning herself for a run. And political observers often mention the name of Saint Paul's mayor Chris Coleman.

By John Croman, KARE 11 News

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