Field of gubernatorial candidates continues to grow

The field of candidates in Minnesota's crowded race for governor is still growing.

Bob Carney, an unsuccessful candidate for mayor in Minneapolis last fall, announced Monday that he's now a Republican candidate for governor. He also filed a lawsuit last year challenging Gov. Tim Pawlenty's unallotment of a tax refund program for political contributions. There are now eight GOP candidates in the race.

Carney said he'll seek the party endorsement but is also planning to run in the primary.

"I think that the Republican Party needs to move in a more moderate and progressive direction, and it needs to be challenged on that," Carney said. "I think I've got some ideas that are going to be appealing to a lot of people, including people who have left the Republican Party, and people who are independents."

In another campaign development, John Uldrich of Minneapolis has filed paperwork to run for governor as an Independence Party candidate. Uldrich was a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2006.