Statement about running for governor: “I was the first Republican candidate to file for the 2010 race for governor. I did this on April 15, 2009. ... I don’t play defense, I play offense! I will push the envelope for myself and other pro-life Minnesotans. I will push the envelope on Second Amendment rights in Minnesota. I will push the envelope on reducing the size of state government and on cutting taxes. I will push the envelope on early childhood, K-12, and higher education in Minnesota.” — From website statement

Party: Republican

Occupation: Renovates properties for an investor who buys and sell real estate

Home: Milaca

Education: Bachelor and master’s degrees in social science from the City University of New York, master’s degree in demography from the University of Pennsylvania; taught at Penn State University

Website: Phil Herwig for Governor

E-mails: herwig4governor@frontiernet.net

Key issues and priorities: Economic growth and job creation, health care, Second Amendment initiative,  welfare reform, education, higher education, lower tuition at the University of Minnesota, pro-life initiative, the budget and agriculture

Political experience: Held Republican congressional district leadership positions and was a national delegate in., 1992. Was appointed by Gov. Arne Carlson to the Minnesota Rural Development Board and Minnesota Governor’s Commission on Violent Crimes. Has run for the the U.S. House.

Background articles: MinnPost: "17 candidates on the long march: Sizing up Minnesota's crowded governor's race”