Minnesota Lawyer
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Staff photo: Peter Bartz-Gallagher)
Republican state Rep. Steve Drazkowski is not ruling out a run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in 2012.
According to a story in the Rochester Post Bulletin, local lawmakers have been buzzing about a possible Drazkowski bid against the three-term congressman in the 1st Congressional District. When asked, Drazkowski told the paper that he is not closing the door on the possibility.
“I haven’t ruled it out, but I am not pursuing it at this point,” he said.
Drazkowski noted that the still-pending redistricting process is deterring possible Republican contenders from committing. Under a plan crafted by Republicans last session, Drazkowski’s hometown of Mazeppa would actually land in the 2nd Congressional District, pitting him against congressman and fellow Republican John Kline.
Drazkowski is not the only legislator who may be eying Walz’s seat. At a recent press conference about veteran’s funding, GOP Sen. Mike Parry dodged a question about a possible run in the district, and GOP Sen. Julie Rosen‘s name is also in the mix, according to the Post Bulletin.
Walz managed to maintain his seat last fall from a challenge from another state House Republican, GOPer Randy Demmer, by just more than five percentage points.
