T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol Reporter

District 52A Rep. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, said last week he is considering running for the Minnesota Senate in Sen. Michele Bachmannís old seat, if Bachmann, whoís seeking the 6th District Republican endorsement for Congress, doesnít return to the Senate.

Vandeveer is a fifth-term House member and chairs the House Property and Local Tax Division.

Prior to his election to the House, Vandeveer made an unsuccessful run for the Senate seat, losing to DFLer Jane Krentz of May Township.

Bachmann is not alone in her quest to run in Kennedyís place in the 6th District in 2006.

Other announced Republican candidates include: Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, Coon Rapidsí native Republican activist Jay Esmay, and former State Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke of Blaine who announced her bid this past weekend in Anoka.

Krinkie, who lives in Shoreview but owns property in Lino Lakes, has said he will move to Lino Lakes. Lino Lakes is within the 6th District; Shoreview is not.

Wetterling in?

In other political news, Child advocate Patty Wetterling is forming an exploratory committee for a possible candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

In a press statement last Friday, Wetterling said she had been urged to consider running for the Senate.

ìAfter discussing this development with family, friends, and supporters, I have decided to actively explore a run for the U.S. Senate,î said Wetterling, of St. Joseph.

ìMy focus, as always, is to determine where I can best advocate for children and families, to serve the people of Minnesota most effectively,î she said.

Wetterlingís announcement comes about four months after her loss to Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Watertown, in a nationally watched race for Congress in the 6th District.

Kennedy defeated Wetterling by about eight points, but was criticized for having negative ads against Wetterling.

Kennedy recently announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, which opens the possibility of a statewide rematch of the two candidates.

Other Democrats mentioned by possible U.S Senate candidates include Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, Hennepin County District Attorney Amy Klobuchar, and Twin Citiesí attorney Mike Ciresi.

On the Republican side, one south metro lawmaker counted himself out.

House Majority Leader Erik Paulsen, R-Eden Prairie, announced Thursday, Feb. 24 he will not challenge Kennedy for the U.S. Senate.

ìMy priority at this time is serving as House Majority Leader and my Eden Prairie constituents as their state representative,î he said.

First District Congressman Gil Gutknecht has indicated interest in challenging Kennedy for the Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate. Gutknecht will not return to Minnesota until early March, having been travelling outside the county.

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