Tony Sutton's surprise resignation last week as chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota has opened a shaken-pop-can spout of speculation about who might succeed him.

MPR's Tom Scheck compiled a list of those who are, or might be, or aren't, in contention:

• Former state Rep. Mike Osskopp: Told MPR News that he's thinking about it. He said he'll decide by Sunday. He served in the Minnesota House and also worked for GOP Rep. John Kline.
• Campaign consultant Pat Shortridge: Told MPR News that he's thinking about it. Shortridge has worked for the NRCC, former Rep. Mark Kennedy, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.
• Terry McCall: There's a recruiting effort to persduade Terry McCall to get in the race. McCall is the chair of the 2nd District Congressional Republicans and vice chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Minnesota.
• Starkey Labs executive Brandon Sawalich: MPR News couldn't reach him for comment. Sawalich briefly ran for party chair in 2009.
• Mike Vekich: Reports on Twitter say he's not running but he has not returned a message from MPR News. Vekich was interim director of the Minnesota Lottery and chaired former Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission.
• Former Minnesota House GOP Speaker Steve Sviggum: Told MPR News that he's not running.
• Andy Parrish: GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's chief of staff told MPR News he's not running.
• Former Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb: Not running
• 6th District Chair David Fitzsimmons: Not running
• News Corp. executive Bill Guidera: Star Tribune quotes him as saying he will not run.
• Former MNGOP executive director Ben Golnik: Not running.
• Joe Repya: Told KTLK on Saturday that he's being recruited and is considering it.
• Sue Jeffers: Told MPR immediately after Tony Sutton resigned that she'd consider it.