Campaign 2008

House Republican who voted to override Pawlenty won't run again

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - State Rep. Kathy Tingelstad already paid a political price for going against her party to support a transportation spending bill. Now, Tingelstad says she won't run for re-election.

Tingelstad, R-Andover, was one of six GOP representatives who helped Democrats override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill that raised the state gas tax and other fees.

The weekend before that vote, party activists delayed a vote on her endorsement until this coming Saturday.

After the vote, Tingelstad lost her position as lead Republican on the bonding committee.

Tingelstad says the delayed endorsement was a sign that it was time for her to do something else.

The 12-year House veteran says her focus will turn to putting her two sons through college.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)