The Ramsey County attorney, who had filed the necessary paperwork to run in 2007, casts herself as an outsider and vows to "radically transform the leadership culture."
By PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune
Last update: October 2, 2009
Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner made it official Thursday night, announcing that she is joining a crowded field of DFLers running for Minnesota governor and casting herself as an outsider offering a fresh start.
"I have not been at the Capitol; I am not part of that mess," she told reporters after addressing supporters in St. Paul.
In her speech to supporters, she vowed to "radically transform the leadership culture" at the State Capitol, to make tough decisions to improve health care and education and to reduce the burden on local property taxpayers.
Asked afterward how she would pay for those initiatives, Gaertner said, "We need to cut some spending, we need to redesign how we deliver government services and we need to raise more revenue."
She added that she'd consider raising income taxes on residents who earn more than $500,000 a year, echoing an idea suggested last month by House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, another DFLer, when she announced that she was running for governor.
"I think it would be irresponsible for any candidate to say that they wouldn't raise taxes," Gaertner said.
The state faces the potential for a multibillion-dollar long-term budget deficit.
In an apparent reference to a pledge not to raise taxes by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, she added, "That's what got us, to some extent, in this mess in the first place."
Pawlenty's decision not to run for reelection next year has set off a scramble among DFLers and Republicans alike to succeed him. Nearly two dozen have filed paperwork with the state allowing them to raise campaign funds.
Other DFL hopefuls include Sen. Tom Bakk, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, Rep. Tom Rukavina, Rep. Paul Thissen, Sen. John Marty and former Sen. Steve Kelley.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, both DFLers, also have indicated they may run.
Although Gaertner waited until now to announce formally, she filed papers in 2007 for a possible run, giving her an early start on fundraising. At the end of last year, she had reported a cash balance of $53,081.
Still, Bakk reported a cash balance at the end of last year of $131,742, and Thissen reported $84,743. Moreover, Dayton and Entenza, both wealthy, have the potential to spend far more money than other candidates in the race.
Gaertner said she would abide by the DFL endorsement.
This week, she received the endorsement of child safety advocate Patty Wetterling, who has twice run for Minnesota's Sixth District seat.
Potential Republican candidates include former state Auditor Pat Anderson, Rep. Tom Emmer, Sen. Michelle Fischbach, former Rep. Bill Haas, Sen. David Hann, Sen. Mike Jungbauer, Rep. Paul Kohls, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and Minnesota Business Partnership executive director Charlie Weaver.
Pat Doyle • 651-222-1210
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