GOP field for 6th CD begins to take shape

**UPDATED**

Less than a week after U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann‘s surprise announcement that she will not seek re-election, the field for the GOP nomination in the 6th Congressional District is beginning  to emerge.

Most notably, former state Rep. Tom Emmer, who was the GOP nominee for governor in 2010, is poised to make an announcement about his plans on Wednesday evening. All indications are that he’ll be joining the race. Emmer is viewed as the early favorite to claim that GOP endorsement in the state’s most conservative congressional district.

Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah also sounds close to officially joining the contest. “I’m strongly leaning towards stepping in the race, but certainly need to make sure that I have support out there before I make that final decision,” Sivarajah tells PIM.

Another likely contender is state Sen. John Pederson, who represents St. Cloud, the largest city in the district. He told the St. Cloud Times on Monday that he’s forming an exploratory committee to help gauge his prospects.

Pederson  said he’s uncertain if he will abide by the GOP endorsement. “I would prefer to have the endorsement,” he tells PIM. “That’s what I’m going to be working for, but there’s a lot that can happen.”

State Rep. Matt Dean, whose Dellwood residence sits just outside the 6th Congressional District, is keeping the door open to a run. “We’re  still kicking it around,” Dean tells PIM. “I’m just hearing from a lot of folks.”

Similarly, former state Rep. Phil Krinkie, who is currently the head of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota, is holding off on any immediate decision. “The whole thing seems to be kind of changing daily,” Krinkie said. “There’s plenty of time to assess all of the pros and cons.”

Other potential GOP challengers have decided to take a pass on the race. State Sen. Michelle Benson indicated in a statement  on Monday that she will not be a challenger. “Although my desire to serve our nation is strong, right now my family, particularly my young children, needs me in Minnesota and not in Washington, D.C,” Benson wrote.

Former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch also announced that she won’t be running for the seat. “I am grateful and humbled by the many people who took the time to express their confidence in my abilities to continue to serve the people of Minnesota,” Koch wrote. “After quiet reflection, however, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Congress in 2014.”

On Tuesday, state Rep. Peggy Scott, of Andover, also withdrew her name from consideration. State Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, of Big Lake, and state Rep. Linda Runbeck, of Circle Pines, both of whom previously expressed interest in the contest, did not immediately return calls from PIM on Tuesday seeking comment.

The 6th Congressional District tilts 10 points in favor of Republicans, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index. In the wake of Bachmann’s decision to not run for re-election, DFL challenger Jim Graves also dropped out of the race. No DFL challenger has yet announced plans to run for the seat.