A political newcomer and a second-time Dem candidate recently announced as candidates for Congress.

Dr. Maureen Hackett, 48, of Minnetonka, a psychiatrist and Air Force vet, will seek the Dem nomination to challenge first-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen in the west suburban Third District. Here's her campaign website. She is the only announced candidate for the Dem nomination. Jim Meffert, 42, of Edina, a lobbyist for the Minnesota Optometric Association, has filed papers to form a committee but hasn't publicly announced a run. But he is definitely in. Meffert will also be a first-time candidate.

State Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), who lost a bid for the DFL endorsement for the seat in 2008, has been considering trying again and has still not finally decided whether to get in.

In the south suburban Second District, Dan Powers, 45, of Burnsville, a construction contractor, will seek the Dem nomination to challenge four-term Repub incumbent John Kline. Powers sought the Dem endorsement for the seat in 2008 but dropped out of the race in favor of the eventual nominee, Steve Sarvi. Powers also lost a race for Burnsville City Council in 2002.