Updated: 10/19/2009 3:32 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email

Kelley Hints at Primary Run in Minn. Governor Race

MAHTOMEDI, Minn. (AP) - Democrat Steve Kelley announced his second bid for governor on Monday, this time refusing to rule out a primary election campaign if the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party backs another candidate.

That's a switch for the former state senator, who dropped out of the 2006 governor's race and the 2000 U.S. Senate race when the party passed him over for others. Kelley got the DFL nod for attorney general four years ago, only to lose in the primary.

"I'm a little bit more cautious this time," Kelley said as he formally launched his campaign before students and supporters in a high school classroom in the St. Paul suburb of Mahtomedi.

Kelley joins a throng of Democrats in a wide-open 2010 governor's race.

They include state Sens. Tom Bakk and John Marty, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, former state Rep. Matt Entenza, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and state Reps. Tom Rukavina and Paul Thissen. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is considering a run.

Dayton has said he will run in the primary, while Entenza hasn't completely ruled it out.

Wearing his trademark bright green tie, Kelley started his speech by calling Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty an "absentee governor." The two-term incumbent won't be on next year's ballot and is seen as a possible 2012 presidential candidate.

Without naming names, Kelley went on to criticize the Republicans running to succeed Pawlenty for focusing on budget cuts. The GOP field includes former state auditor Pat Anderson; state Sens. David Hann and Mike Jungbauer; state Reps. Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert; and former state Rep. Bill Haas.

"I hear other candidates for governor and I think how narrowly and fearfully they see Minnesota's future," Kelley said. "I dare to see a Minnesota rich in opportunity for all Minnesotans, that embraces our diversity and a Minnesota that enlivens the individual and the common good."

The 56-year-old attorney said one of his priorities would be to establish a statewide children's zone, including new spending on early childhood education programs and a sharper focus on college. The zone would be modeled on a similar program in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. He didn't have an estimate for how much such a program would cost in Minnesota.

Kelley served 14 years in the Legislature, including a decade in the Senate, where he focused on education and technology issues such as Internet access. He lives in Hopkins, Minn.

On taxes, Kelley said he would raise state-level taxes to balance the budget. He said he would consider "lots of different options," naming higher income taxes and a carbon tax as possibilities. He said no single tax increase alone would stabilize the state's budget.

On two contentious issues, Kelley said he supports gay marriage and opposes using public money for a new Vikings football stadium. Kelley pushed stadium bills as a lawmaker.

"Not now," he said.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)