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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

Emmer to announce 6th District plans this week

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The race to replace GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is starting to shake out. Former state Rep. Tom Emmer, who lost the 2010 race for governor to Democrat Mark Dayton, sent an e-mail to reporters this morning saying he will make an announcement Wednesday night in Delano.

Emmer said last week he's strongly considering a run to replace Bachmann now that she's not running for re-election.

At least 10 Republicans expressed interest in running for the seat after Bachmann abruptly announced last week she would step down at the end of next year.

Emmer would be considered a strong candidate to win the GOP endorsement. Wright County is considered a GOP stronghold in a district that leans Republican. The 6th Congressional District includes St. Cloud, northern and eastern Twin Cities suburbs and several metro exurbs.

Meanwhile, one Republican is taking herself out of the race. State Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, sent an e-mail to supporters saying she's decided against running.

"Although my desire to serve our nation is strong, right now my family, particularly my young children, needs me in Minnesota and not in Washington, D.C.," Benson wrote. "After thoughtful consideration for the needs of my family, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Congress in 2014."

Democrats are also looking for a candidate after businessman Jim Graves dropped out of the race on Friday.