Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

(AP) - Former state transportation commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg will run for Congress again in Minnesota's 6th District.

      The Democrat sent an advisory Friday saying he would make a
formal announcement on Monday.

      Tinklenberg ran last year but dropped out when the DFL
endorsement went to child safety advocate Patty Wetterling. She
went on to lose the race to Republican Michele Bachmann.

      Two more Democrats are already running -- Bob Olson and Bob Hill.


Tinklenberg said two weeks ago that he wanted to speak with them
about the district and would then decide on his next step.

      Tinklenberg headed the state transportation agency under former
Gov. Jesse Ventura. He's also a former Methodist minister who also
served as mayor of Blaine.

      The 6th District includes northern Twin Cities suburbs and
extends northwest to the St. Cloud area.

 Two state lawmakers are taking steps toward
running for the U.S. House in Minnesota's 3rd District.

      Former Republican House Majority Leader Erik Paulsen said Friday
that he'll form a federal campaign committee next week, allowing
him to raise and spend money on a campaign. He said many people
have encouraged him to run.

      Democratic Sen. Terri Bonoff has a campaign Web site where she is soliciting campaign
donations. She said she plans to formally announce her campaign in
mid-October, after she files a federal campaign finance report
reflecting about a week's worth of fundraising in late September.

      The congressional seat unexpectedly came open when longtime U.S.
Rep. Jim Ramstad said he won't run for re-election next year.
Ramstad is a moderate Republican who has represented the suburban
western Twin Cities district since 1990.

      Paulsen represents an Eden Prairie district that sits in the
southern part of the 3rd Congressional District. 

He worked for
Ramstad in Washington and Minnesota and served as majority leader
for Minnesota House Republicans from 2002 to 2006, when Democrats
took control of the chamber.

      Bonoff won a special election two years ago in a
Plymouth-Minnetonka district that had been held by Republicans, and
was re-elected last year in a close vote. She is a former business
executive who lives in Minnetonka.

Gallery

Ramstad announces his retirement from Congress

Ramstad's retirement means a battle for the 3rd District

Elwyn Tinklenberg plans to announce he's running again in the 6th District, and two lawmakers are laying the groundwork for campaigns in the 3rd District, to replace retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad.

Candidates lining up in the 6th, 3rd Congressional Districts

Go Deeper.

Like this?