So who is kind of maybe a little bit considering a run for governor?

Photo by Mulad

The number of names floating around for possible Republican, Democratic and Independent candidates to take over as Minnesota governor is getting pretty absurd. Could we just have every politician or kinda-politician run, perhaps in a Lord of the Flies type battle?

Minnesota Public Radio has compiled a pretty strong list of the for-sures, maybes, and speculations for 2010. Check it out below.

REPUBLICANS
Expressed interest:

• Pat Anderson, former state auditor
• Rep. Marty Seifert, Marshall, House minority leader (stepping down from that position later this month)
• Sen. David Hann, Eden Prairie
• Sen. Geoff Michel, Edina
• Sen. Paul Koering, Fort Ripley
• Rep. Paul Kohls, Victoria
• Rep. Laura Brod, New Prague
• Rep. Morrie Lanning, Moorhead
• Steve Sviggum, commissioner of Labor and Industry, former House speaker
• Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, former chief of staff for Pawlenty, former lawmaker.
• David Olson, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Brian Sullivan, businessman

Speculation:

• Jim Ramstad, former U.S. representative
• Mike Vekich, businessman, former chair of MnSCU
• Rep. Dave Senjem, Rochester, House minority leader
• Sen. Dick Day, Owatonna
• Norm Coleman, contesting election for U.S. senator

DEMOCRATS
Announced they intend to run:

• Sen. Tom Bakk, Cook
• Mark Dayton, former U.S. senator
• Matt Entenza, founder of Minnesota 2020, former House speaker
• Susan Gaertner, Ramsey County attorney
• Sen. John Marty, Roseville
• Rep. Paul Thissen, Minneapolis
• Steve Kelley, former state senator

Expressed interest:

• Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minneapolis, House speaker
• R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis
• Chris Coleman, mayor of St. Paul

Speculation:

• Sen. Tarryl Clark, St. Cloud

INDEPENDENTS
Expressed interest:

• Tim Penny, former U.S. representative
• Dean Barkley, former U.S. senator
• Stephen Williams, previous Independence Party candidate