Minnesota Lawyer
Rep. Mike Benson (Staff photo: Peter Bartz-Gallagher)
A couple of Republicans in recent days have jumped into 2014 Minnesota congressional races. State Rep. Mike Benson, R-Rochester, is mounting a bid to challenge Democratic Congressman Tim Walzin southern Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. Benson, who has served two terms in St. Paul, started giving interviews about his intentions this weekend and formally announced his campaign this morning in Rochester.
In the 6th Congressional District, state Sen. John Pederson, R-St. Cloud, on Friday announced his entry into the race to succeed retiring Republican firebrand Michele Bachmann. Pederson is moving forward in a GOP field that includes former gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer and Anoka County Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah. Pederson has flexibility because his Senate term doesn’t expire until 2016.
Southern Minnesota media outlets this weekend also reported that former state Sen. Al DeKruif is thinking about challenging Walz. DeKruif served one term in the Senate as a Republican from Madison Lake. Redistricting drew him into fellow GOP Sen. Julie Rosen’s district and he opted not to seek re-election. The New Ulm Journal reported DeKruif plans to finalize his decision on running for Congress in late July.
