Following media reports Monday saying that Norm Coleman won't decide until spring whether or not to run for governor, KSTP-TV is reporting that he's already telling friends he won't.

Channel 5 reports that three sources say Coleman "has been busy working on a long-term issue-oriented 'action group' that might eventually involve some lobbying in Washington."

If true, that will make a big difference in the race to replace Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has said he won't run for re-election, U of M political science professor Larry Jacobs told the station.

"The biggest names in the Republican Party, like (former Congressman) Jim Ramstad and now Norm Coleman are no longer in play. It is really wide open," Jacobs said.

Other candidates, such as Republican legislators Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer and former State Auditor Pat Anderson, might now appear as front-runners for the Republican slot.

"These are folks who are well known here at the Capitol in St. Paul but don't have very good name recognition out of state. It's really unclear whether they can attract the kind of independent support you need to win in Minnesota," Jacobs said.