Almanac: At the Capitol

The House DFL unveils its bonding bill, House Democrats want to change the unemployment rate, and a Senate committee considers free fishing for people 90 and over.

View the Capitol Update for March 30, 2009.

Now it really appears that Rep. Erik Paulsen is not just the frontrunner, but one of the major contenders left standing on the Republican side of the 3rd congressional district race. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is reporting that Geoff Michel is not running, a couple of days ago word also came that RNC's Brian Sullivan is not running. So I think that leaves Sheriff Rich Stanek, Rep. Joyce Peppin, Rep. Kurt Zellers as notable names still in the mix. Also, solidifying my earlier post about frontrunners, Terri Bonoff is the first candidate with a website up and running. I do hear Rep. Melissa Hortman is a contender but some people I spoke with from the district over the weekend are concerned she's been too outspoken on tax increases to work in the swing district.

The field is quickly being formed to replace Congressman Jim Ramstad. On the DFL side, Andy Luger is out and he was seen as a frontrunner. So Luger, Humphrey, Lillehaug, Ruud and Luther are all not running. State Senator Terri Bonoff is running and everyone I talk to sees her as the frontrunner. She has pro-business moderate credentials that work in the district. Her gender helps and she's a little firecracker. Other Dems who may be contenders: Rep. Melissa Hortman, Rep. Steve Simon and former Sen. Steve Kelley. On the Republican side I'm hearing the most buzz about Rep. Erik Paulsen. Apparently he's working his tail off and has all the right connections. He used to work for Ramstad, Pawlenty likes him, his legislative colleagues like him. He is just pretty darn likeable. Some like the idea of Sen. Geoff Michel, but others say his reputation is more moderate than his voting record. Brian Sullivan is always formidable with his money and insider status in the party, but he may be too conservative for the district. Rep. Kurt Zellers, Rep. Joyce Peppin and Sheriff Rich Stanek are also possibilities. Lots of interesting press recently on the district if you haven't seen it on the changes in the district that puts it in play for both parties.