Gimse considers run for Minn. Senate majority leader

WILLMAR - Sen. Joe Gimse said today he's considering tossing his name into the ring for majority leader in the Minnesota Senate, following the surprise resignation last week of Amy Koch from the top post.

The Willmar Republican said he would be a "calming voice" to the GOP caucus, which has been thrown into turmoil since Koch resigned after it was revealed she had an inappropriate relationship with a male staffer.

Gimse said the Senate needs a majority leader that is thoughtful, exhibits "decisive leadership" and is willing to "take risks and be courageous" in order to move policy issues forward in the next legislative session.

Gimse, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006 when he defeated then-Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, said he's in the early stages of exploring a run for the position and that he would make a decision early next week, before the Republican caucus meets to vote on a replacement for Koch.