Coleman won't decide on run for gov til 2010

by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — A spokesman says former Sen. Norm Coleman won't decide until next spring if he'll run for governor.

Speculation about Coleman running for governor in 2010 began as soon as he conceded the 2008 Senate race to Democrat Al Franken.

Coleman spokesman Tom Erickson now says the Republican won't announce if he's in or out of the governor's race until March or April.

Erickson says Coleman just wants some time to not be running for office.

The delay would put Coleman even further behind a growing GOP field that's been busy organizing and raising money.

So far, eight Republicans have filed the campaign finance paperwork to run. The state Republican Party plans to have delegates vote in a straw poll on their candidate preferences during a state convention in October.

Minnesota's precinct caucuses are in February.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 07/27/2009, 6:21 p.m.