Pundt moving to different district

Republican David Allan Pundt is moving to Bay Lake and won't run against Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, in 2010. He's leaving open the possibility of running against Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton.

The 2008 Republican candidate for District 12A is moving out of the district to a Bay Lake home in District 12B. A candidacy for the Legislature in his new district would only take place if the 2008 Republican candidate, Mike LeMieur of Little Falls, decided not to run, Pundt said.

"I'm not interested in challenging him for it," Pundt said. "He's got such good grassroots support. I think he's a great candidate."

LeMieur, contacted Tuesday, said he hadn't decided whether he would run again but would probably decide before the end of the year.

Pundt, a retired radio journalist for a Breezy Point station, said he would keep the door open to a 12B candidacy for a while but would probably have to decide by the end of the year.

"It's a brand new district for me," he said Tuesday. "It would be more or less uphill from the beginning."

Ward defeated Pundt 63.14 percent to 33.99 percent in 2008. Doty defeated LeMieur 48.91 percent to 48.54 percent.

One Republican who is considering a candidacy for the House District 12A post is Zachariah Jackson, 27, of rural Brainerd. He has filed his campaign committee with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board.

MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.