Aspirants Lining Up for Ramstad's Seat

CQ Politics lists the candidates who are looking at Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district -- currently represented by Jim Ramstad:

Republicans who confirmed to CQPolitics.com that they are considering a run for the 3rd District seat are state Sens. Geoff Michel, David Hann and Warren Limmer, as well as state Rep. Erik Paulsen of Plymouth. Other possible GOP candidates include Brian Sullivan, a member of the Republican National Committee who in 2002 pursued the Republican nomination for governor; former state Rep. Jeff Johnson, who ran for state attorney general in 2006; former state Sen. David Gaither; and state Rep. Kurt Zellers.

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Melissa Hortman said she was “very seriously considering” a run for the nomination, and state Sen. Steve Simon said he was considering a bid. They could be joined by Hubert H. “Buck” Humphrey IV, a 2002 candidate for Minnesota secretary of state and grandson of the state’s most famous Democrat, a longtime senator who also served as vice president of the United States and was the 1968 Democratic nominee for president.

Other possible Democratic contenders for the 3rd District seat include former federal prosecutor Andy Luger, who ran for Hennepin County attorney in 2006; state Sen. Terri Bonoff from Ramstad’s hometown of Minnetonka; and former state Sen. Steve Kelley.

Charlie Cook says that Ramstad's district has an ever-so-slight GOP edge -- a PVI of just +1 Republican. John Hinderaker has this to say about:

Minnesota's Third District is classically Republican; it consists of Minneapolis' prosperous western suburbs and some surrounding rural area. Like many such districts, however, it has been trending toward the Democrats. Bill Clinton carried the Third twice, but President Bush edged out John Kerry there in 2004.

Another district sure to host a competitive race (and a costly one for the Republicans). It's also one that could be affected by presidential coattails -- since Tim Pawlenty is sometimes mentioned as a possible GOP vice-presidential nominee.