Discover Politics

GOP national committeeman Brian Sullivan announced Monday that he has chosen not to run for Governor. Sullivan, a candidate for Governor in 2002, has recently become the subject of intense speculation given what some have percieved as a weak field of GOP candidates for Governor. On Monday, he affirmed his decision to stay out of the race in a brief press release:

BRIAN SULLIVAN WILL NOT RECONSIDER DECISION ON GUBERNATORIAL BID

Brian Sullivan, Minnesota’s Republican National Committeeman, issued the following statement today:

“In June, I announced that I would not run for governor in 2010. However, in the following months, I received many requests from Republican activists to reconsider that decision.  As a result, two weeks ago I asked some friends to sound out the opinions of party leaders about the possibility of my candidacy and to understand the challenges of a late entry into the race.  Though I received much gratifying encouragement to run, I concluded that my business obligations would prevent me from dedicating the time needed to run an effective campaign.  Accordingly, I will not reconsider my previous decision, and I will not be a candidate for governor next year.

I am optimistic about Republican prospects to keep the governorship, and I look forward to supporting the party’s endorsed candidate.”

Sullivan’s decision leaves a field of candidates led by State Rep Marty Seifert, followed by Tom Emmer,  Pat Anderson, and David Hann. As the election cycle nears, it is looking more certain that this will be the final field of candidates from which Republican delegates will choose.  Stay tuned to Discover Politics for more updates on the Governor’s race.