Koering drops idea of running for governor
Campaign '10
Sen. Paul Koering has pulled the plug on his exploratory campaign for governor.
The Fort Ripley Republican said Tuesday he abandoned the idea because of money concerns, insufficient support, the preference of Senate District 12 constituents who wanted him to continue his Senate career and the possibility of a challenge from another Republican.
Paul Koering
"My understanding is that there's a former state representative that's going to challenge me for the state Senate," Koering said. "I need to put the governor aspirations behind me and focus on making sure I can secure the endorsement for state senator. I've heard from several people on the Republican side that it's (his challenger) going to be former Rep. Paul Gazelka. I'm working on making sure I get my campaign workers organized."
Koering said he expects to officially announce his candiidacy for a third term in the Senate in January.
Gazelka, of rural Brainerd, served one term as the House District 12A representative seat currently held by Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd. He could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Koering said he formed an exploratory committee but had not yet tried to raise any money or form a fundraising committee with Minnesota Campaign and Finance Disclosure Board.
"I believe deeply in public service and I think everybody should be involved," he said. "I'm trying to do my part, serving as senator. I've ascertained that a run for governor for me is going to be very difficult. I'm not a rich person. I don't have the financial means like maybe some others that may run."
He said the unallotment procedure's suspension of the political contribution refund also would pose a hardship on any gubernatorial candidacy.
"I don't think I can raise the money," he said. "It's going to take $15 (million) to $20 million to run for governor. That's just going to be way out of my reach."
Koering said that while some people did encourage him to run for governor the level of support among delegates wasn't strong enough to merit a race.
"In my mind there was not enough support," he said. "If I can't get the endorsement I'm pretty much out of business. I just wanted to actually gauge what people were thinking ... I don't feel a run for governor is in the cards."
Koering said many people were supportive of his consideration of a run for governor but said they would rather he continue as state senator.
The two-term senator declined to directly answer whether he would abide by the decision of the District 12 Republican endorsing convention.
"I'm going to be running for a third term ... and I would be honored to have the Republican endorsement," Koering said.
He said he wasn't ready to endorse another Republican for governor.
"Right now the field is just too wide open for me to decide who I'm supporting, but it certainly would be a Republican," Koering said.
Koering announced his exploratory bid for governor on June 4.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.