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February 11, 2005
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| Sen. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, says she will announce her candidacy for the 6th Congressional District next week. (MPR file photo) |
St. Paul, Minn. — The 109th Congress has only been in session for about a month and there's already discussion on who will represent Minnesota's 6th District in the 110th Congress. Three Republicans have all but said they're in the race -- State Sen. Michele Bachmann of Stillwater, Rep. Jim Knoblach of St. Cloud. and former Minnesota Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke.
Bachmann began her political career as a prominent critic of the Profile of Learning graduation standards. Since joining the Senate, her signature issue has been the push for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. She will make a formal announcement on Monday, but is in the race.
"I'm excited about the high quality of candidates who are vying for this seat. That's a good thing for the delegates. We want people who are in the Republican Party to be able to have a good choice, and I'm hoping that I will be their favorite," says Bachmann.
Knoblach is the current chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and used to be responsible for approving capital investment projects in the Minnesota House. Knoblach is in his sixth term and has been active in St. Cloud party politics. He says he'll also make his announcement next week.
"I actually expect that I can get the endorsement. I have had a lot of really good conversations with people over the last few months, and have had a lot of encouragement on it. I'm working, if I do this, toward getting the endorsement," says Knoblach.
Yecke says she thinks her education credentials, in addition to her support among conservatives, will be a positive among Republican delegates. Yecke served as Gov. Pawlenty's education commissioner for 14 months before the DFL-controlled Senate rejected her confirmation. She also served in the Education Department under the Bush administration.
Yecke says she isn't concerned that several Republicans are seeking the endorsement. Yecke says since all have conservative credentials, delegates and voters will be looking at other issues.
"It's going to be other things that will set the candidates apart. One of the things that I believe sets me apart is that I already have contacts and a strong network in Washington," Yecke says. "We each bring different life experiences to this race, and so that's what the delegates will have to consider as we look towards who gets this endorsement."
State Rep. Phil Krinkie of Shoreview and Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer both say they're considering their options as well.
Sen. Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville and 6th District Republican chair Dan Nygaard are also mentioned as possible candidates on the GOP side.
Whoever wins the nomination will need know a variety of issues. The district has a strong Catholic base in Stearns County, has farmers in places like Watertown, and has suburban voters in the northern and eastern Twin Cities metro area. Nominees would also have to be in tune with the highly sensitive swing voters in Anoka County.
While the Republican field is getting a bit crowded, DFL Party activists are all but deferring to Patty Wetterling. She lost to Kennedy by 30,000 votes in November, but is well known around the state and is an effective fundraiser.
Wetterling says she's considering all of her options, which include a possible run for U.S. Senate. She says she'll meet with her family over the weekend and announce her future next week.
"I ran a congressional race, and a lot of people said I would do better on a statewide race. All of a sudden statewide race opens up, so I have to take a look," Wetterling says.
Wetterling says party officials are urging her to decide as soon as possible, so they can find a strong congressional candidate if necessary.
St. John's University political science professor Bob Weber says Wetterling may be a stronger statewide candidate, since the 6th district has a higher percentage of Republican voters. He says Wetterling would have to appeal to swing voters and hope for a bitter endorsement fight among Republicans.
"She would be a front-runner, and the question is whether she could run from the starting blocks to the finish line as a front-runner," Weber says. "The Republicans might be able to catch her down the home stretch."
Weber says all of the candidates have to be skilled in raising money. The candidates in the last two races in the 6th have spent more than $1 million each. They'll have plenty of time to make fundraising calls, since there's 21 months until Election Day 2006.
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