ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former Sen. Norm Coleman, seen as a formidable possible candidate for Minnesota governor in 2010, won’t decide on the race until spring.
Spokesman Tom Erickson said Monday that Coleman won’t announce whether he’s in or out until March or April. Coleman, who wasn’t made available for an interview with The Associated Press, told WCCO-AM that he’s not “ruling in or ruling out anything regarding the governor’s race.”
“I don’t think the folks are looking for another campaign so quickly,” Coleman said, alluding to his 2008 Senate race, which went eight months past its expected end because of a recount and court case.
Coleman’s timetable would put him far behind other candidates in organizing and fundraising. His party holds its state endorsing convention in late April, the earliest ever.
“This isn’t his first rodeo. I’m sure he’s taking all those factors into consideration,” Erickson said. “He just wants some time to not be running for office and just to take some time to rest and think about it before he jumps into another race.”
Coleman conceded his Senate race to Democrat Al Franken on June 30 hours after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled for Franken. Coleman declined then to address speculation that he would make another run for governor; he was the GOP nominee in a 1998 race won by former wrestler Jesse Ventura.
The 2010 Republican field has no clear leader after GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty decided against running for a third term. Declared candidates include former state auditor Pat Anderson; state Sens. David Hann and Mike Jungbauer; state Reps. Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert; and former state Rep. Bill Haas.
The decision to defer an announcement would mean an almost certain primary battle in late summer if Coleman wanted to contend for the party nomination. And state Republicans have a track record of protecting their endorsed candidate.
Minnesota GOP Chairman Tony Sutton said the party is holding its convention about a month earlier than usual to give its candidate a head start on the Democratic challenger.
Coleman’s delayed decision could handicap him.
“If you are going to run for the endorsement you have to start in late 2009 at the latest, especially with the compressed calendar,” Sutton said.
Republican strategist Tom Horner said Coleman doesn’t have to adhere to the same calendar as other candidates because he has broad name recognition, a built-in base and the ability to raise money fast.
Still, Horner doubts Coleman will run.
“The emotions around the 2008 Senate election and recount still are pretty close to the surface and likely will remain close to the surface a year from now, and I think that would make it very difficult for Norm Coleman,” Horner said.
