Brod considering run for governor in 2010

June 11, 2009

The New Prague Times

Chuck Kajer, Managing Editor

The recent announcement by Gov. Tim Pawlenty that he would not seek a third term has led to a lot of speculation as to his successor.

There were already a number of D-F-L candidates who either had announced or were considering a run for governor in 2010, and last week's announcement has fueled speculation on a long list of names who could be seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

One of the names being tossed about is that of State Rep. Laura Brod (R-New Prague), who is an assistant minority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During her four terms in office she has become a rising star in the Republican caucus and has been a key spokesperson for a number of key Republican issues.

Brod says in the past week she's been getting a lot of encouragement to run for governor. "I've been thinking about it, and I'm giving myself and my family some time to make that decision," she said in a phone interview Tuesday, June 9.

"I'm weighing all the options out there. Hopefully we'll make a decision within the next month to six weeks."

She said the idea of running for governor is exciting. "I've loved serving the area, but there's a lot we've got to do as a state. We need to make some significant and fundamental reforms so that government doesn't just function, but serves the people well."

Brod says if she runs, the process won't be an easy one. "A candidate has got to have a strong organization and a strong passion for doing the job.

"It will be a long road of talking to people, which is part of what I love to do. I love hearing ideas. I've spent a lot of time in the community and running for governor would be no different, just on an expanded scale."

She said one of the exciting parts of running for office is meeting people with different perspectives. "We need more of that in government. People thinking beyond the next year or two, but in a long-term framework."