Paulsen Rules Out Run for US Senate or Minnesota Governor

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen has ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate or for governor of Minnesota, saying he plans to seek a fourth term in the House instead.

Paulsen, whose district includes the western suburbs of Minneapolis, said in a statement Monday that he believes the House is where he can be most effective and best represent the people of his district and the state.

Paulsen says he finds the partisanship in Washington to be deeply frustrating, but he wants to continue working to solve problems.

No prominent Republicans have yet emerged to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken in 2014.

The most prominent GOP contenders hoping to challenge Gov. Mark Dayton so far are Orono businessman Scott Honor and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson.