ST. PAUL -- State Sen. Tom Bakk has become the second Democrat to file paperwork establishing a governor campaign committee for the 2010 election.
However, he said in a Wednesday interview, the committee is only to allow him to investigate a candidacy. He said he plans to make a decision by the end of the year.
"I would characterize it as an exploratory committee," Bakk said via telephone from his Canadian cabin.
A key to whether he runs will be whether he can gain support of small businessmen, he said.
"One of the things I want to do is see if I am the kind of a Democrat who can appeal to small town business owners," the Cook senator said.
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Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidates have not been successful courting the business community, Bakk said. However, the Senate Taxes Committee chairman and long-time union carpenter said, he has a lot in common with business owners.
The only major-party candidate to announce a run for governor in 2010 is Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner of White Bear Lake.
Bakk said he needs the campaign committee so he can spend money investigating the race. Otherwise, he is limited to spending $100.
"I could not drive to Bemidji and back without spending $100," he said.
The senator said he has three issues to examine before he decides whether he will run:
- If he can raise enough money, which could reach $2.5 million.
- Whether he can attract enough state convention delegates for an endorsement, which he will investigate at the 2008 DFL convention next week in Rochester.
- How to devise the right campaign strategy to win, including attracting businessmen.
