Paul Kohls, a Republican state representative from Victoria, has dropped out of the running for the GOP nomination for governor.

While never gaining much traction with the public, he says he still had an impact on the race:"I am pleased with the impact I was able to have on the race over the past few months. I remain the only Republican candidate to move beyond the rhetoric of supporting limited government by coming forward with a plan to move Minnesota in that direction — my new Minnesota Spending Freeze," he said in a statement announcing his withdrawal.

So the inevitable dropping begins, after the rush of candidates who talked about entering the race when Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he wouldn't seek re-election. By some accounts, there are still about two dozen candidates in the running.