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Coleman Could Be Mulling Gubernatorial Bid

Former Senator asking donors to wait on endorsing other candidates

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2009 4:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – Norm Coleman has given up the fight for Minnesota’s US Senate seat, but he may be mulling a run for governor. Coleman has been calling his major donors, asking them “to hold off making any commitments to other candidates,” a University of Minnesota political scientist tells the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "This does not mean he's going to run," he said. "But he's trying to freeze them."

If he decides on a gubernatorial run—his second, after a failed bid in 1998—he may have a formidable opponent in Jim Ramstad, a former congressman who, like Coleman, is a moderate Republican. Nonetheless, Coleman’s “clearly proven to be a vote-getter in winning elections in a state that still tilts to the Democratic side," said a Republican strategist.

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[Videos (1)]

Former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman laughs at a question as he addresses the media Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at his St. Paul, Minn., home. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman smiles as he addresses the media Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at his St. Paul, Minn., home. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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Norm Coleman concedes to Al Franken on June 30, 2009. (tpmtv)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

2-bits

Jul 1, 2009 12:37 PM CDT

This is actually the funniest answer to my "What will Norm Coleman do for a living" question.

drlarrymitchell

Jul 1, 2009 10:23 AM CDT

Tim Pawlenty traded up to a GOP nomination in 2012- a nomination promised to him for stalling the Franken-Coleman clusterfuck- and the Gov job is what Coleman was promised for drawing it out, keeping Franken spinning his wheels and the Democrats from having 60 in the Senate. What surprises me is not that these PIECES OF SHIT have dealt away democracy for personal power grabbing, but that they honestly expect the American public to believe their bullshit when they proclaim these mechanizations to be exactly as they appear to be.

Mad

Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM CDT

Coleman WAS a vote getter, now he has pissed off his citizens, plus he is a solid reminder that the republican party is in complete meltdown. Has been. It's over Norm, go home

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Republican • Norm Coleman • Minnesota • fundraiser • Al Franken • governor • fundraising

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Coleman Could Be Mulling Gubernatorial Bid