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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Secretary of State contest drawing early interest

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In announcing his decision Tuesday not to run for re-election in 2014, DFL Secretary of State Mark Ritchie predicted that several good candidates would step forward to consider running for the open seat.

One candidate clearly stepped quicker than the rest. Rachel Larson Bohman, who until last week was the elections manager for Hennepin county, announced her candidacy in a news release within a half hour of Ritchie's announcement. Bohman, a Democrat, also had a Facebook page for her campaign in place. She said she had only heard rumblings about Ritchie not running again and wanted to be ready.

"You know, I heard some rumors. I was seriously considering it and have really wanted to seek this office for a long time," Bohman said. "So, when the opportunity or potential opportunity arose, I wanted to make sure that I was prepared to tell Minnesota how I felt and excited to announce my future here."

The names of several potential candidates have also surfaced. State Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, said she's considering the race. So is state Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, who said he'll make a decision by the end of the month.

"The reason why it's interesting to me is because for eight years we've had a very partisan secretary of state, and it's time that we brought balance to our election process," Garofalo said.

Other Democrats are weighing their options too. Rep. Steve Simon, DFL-Hopkins, said he's considering the race. Simon, who chairs the House Elections Committee, said Ritchie has been an outstanding secretary of state and will leave big shoes for his successor to fill.

"I think he's going to be remembered for a lot of great things," Simon said.

Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, and former representative Jeremy Kalin have said they're also thinking about running.

The Associated Press reports state Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth and state Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove may jump in the race. The AP also reports Republican Kent Kaiser, who was a deputy to Mary Kiffmeyer, when she was secretary of state, is considering a run.