Sharon Sund of Plymouth will seek the DFL endorsement to run against GOP U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District, reports the Minnesota Independent.
Sund said she decided to run after visiting the congressman’s office:
“It became painfully evident that he was only interested in continuing failed policies,” she writes. “He was determined to continue to vote the same way even if it destroyed what we value in our country.”
In the campaign announcement, Sund says:
“Using my experience as a scientist, manager, and developer of green technologies I will work to move the 3rd district toward a prosperous future for all, As a community volunteer and organizer I have worked with diverse groups across the state to forge common ground and achieve significant results.”
Paulsen was first elected to the traditionally Republican seat in 2008, after long-time lawmaker Jim Ramstad stepped down. Paulsen easily won reelection in 2010 in the district that includes Hennepin County, outside of Minneapolis and its close suburbs.
Paulsen is no Jim Ramstad and could be beatable with a centrist candidate this time around.
Even if Paulsen isn’t beatable this time around, by a centrist or anyone else, is there a candidate willing to run twice? That’s probably what it will take. Show some potential the first time, make a serious run the second.