With Gov. Tim Pawlenty stepping aside today from the 2010 governor’s race, names of potential Republican candidates to succeed him have been flying fast and furious.

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, jumped into the race immediately, indicating he would formally announce on Wednesday.

Other potential candidates’ names were being bandied about throughout the day in political circles and on social networking sites like Twitter.

One party insider, who spoke off the record because he didn’t want be identified with any one potential candidate, said the “top tier” would include Seifert, as well as businessman Brian Sullivan, considered popular among party activists, and Rep. Laura Brod, of New Prague, who is viewed as media savvy.

Others already being mentioned include 6th District Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, who has a very strong base of support in the party but is seen as a long shot in the general election, the insider said.

Additional names that have surfaced include:

--Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie
--Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria
--Sen. Geoff Michel of Edina
--Charlie Weaver, a former legislator and executive director of the Minnesota Business partnership.

And more to come, it’s clear.