![St. Cloud State Senator Eyeing 6th District GOP Race](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/02/John-Pederson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
St. Cloud State Senator Eyeing 6th District GOP Race
ST. PAUL (AP) — A Republican state senator from St. Cloud says he's leaning toward a run for the open seat in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.
Sen. John Pederson says he's "very serious" about running. He says he could officially file as a candidate later in June.
The 6th District includes St. Cloud and surrounding communities, and stretches southeast to northern Twin Cities suburbs. Pederson says many St. Cloud Republicans want a local candidate in the race. Pederson is part-owner and vice president of a St. Cloud concrete business and was elected to the state Senate in 2010.
Also Tuesday, two potential GOP candidates opted out of the race. They are Amy Koch, a former Senate Republican leader, and Peggy Scott, a state representative from Andover.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Reduced Drug Sentences, Syrian Refugees, Special Session [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/09/Minnesota.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Senator Pederson Has Concerns with Federal ID Mandate](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/02/John-Pederson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saving Chicago Flights Tops on Senator Pederson’s ‘To Do’ List [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/02/John-Pederson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Youth Summit Allows Adults and Youth in District 6 to Talk About Issues [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/01/Unknown.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![First DFLer Joins Rebooted Sixth District Race](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/03/democrat_badge_300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Minnesota Senate Leader Koch Won’t Run in 6th](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/12/amy_koch_630x420.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![GOP Field Taking Shape in Open 6th District](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/03/republican_badge_250x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![State Senate Panel Rejects Red-Light Cameras](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/11/traffic-light-camera.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![I-94 Project Between Monticello and Albertville Starts Soon](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/04/Road-Construction.jpg?w=980&q=75)