Posted on 11/02/2009 8:10:57 AM PST by markomalley
State Rep. Paul Kohls became an early casualty of the crowded race for Minnesota governor, dropping out Thursday because of a lack of support from GOP constituencies.
"I've come to the conclusion that I don't have sufficient support from the delegates to keep going," Kohls told reporters.
Kohls, who has been in the state House since 2002, was not among the top finishers in the state Republican party's straw poll earlier this month. The poll was won by House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, one of the first and most prominent Republicans to join the race after incumbent Tim Pawlenty, a Republcan, announced he would not seek a third term.
State Rep. Tom Emmer came in second, with former state auditor Pat Anderson and state Sen. David Hann in a virtual tie for third. Also in the running are state Sen. Mike Jungbauer, and former state Rep. Bill Haas. The Democratic field is even more crowded and, according to MinnPost.com commentator Blois Olson, more fluid.
Among the contenders vying for the nomination are state House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher; former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton; former state Rep. Matt Entenza, who is capable of self-funding; state Rep. Paul Thissen; state Sen. John Marty; and state Sen. Tom Bakk; and former Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is also expected to join the race, while St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman announced earlier in the fall that he will not run.
CQ Politics rates the general election contest a Toss Up.
That’s too bad. Paul is my local rep and truly a great guy with conservative values. I met him when he went door to door in my neighborhood. He’s a young guy. Hopefully he’ll have a better chance in the future.
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