Pat Anderson, in the news last month when reports surfaced that she'd posted on Facebook that she had contracted the H1N1 virus (aka swine flu), today made the long-expected official announcement that she's running for governor.

The former Republican sate auditor, commissioner of the state Department of Employee Relations and Eagan mayor says on her campaign website that she "pledges an administration dedicated to individual liberty and limited government; an agenda of tax reform and redefinition of state government."

Anderson, 43, says when she was state auditor from 2003-2007 she insisted that local governments focus on “essential services” helpng to change the way cities and counties managed their budgets.

As a state commissioner, she managed her department's merger with the Department of Finance and Administration, which, she says, eliminated many unnecessary positions, including her own. 

“Others may talk about reform,” said Anderson in her announcement. “I have actually accomplished reform in state government. It can be done, but it requires vision, leadership, trust and above all, the will to get the job accomplished.”