Congressman John Kline won't seek re-election in 2016

Congressman John Kline made a sudden, yet not surprising, announcement yesterday morning that he would not seek an eighth term in Congress in 2016.

An open congressional seat is a coveted political opportunity and many Republicans and Democrats are analyzing a potential run for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District in 2016.

Kline was already facing one minor Republican challenger - David Gerson - who ran unsuccessfully against Kline in 2012 and 2014.

But with Kline not running for re-election in 2016, any GOP or DFL legislator in 2nd Congressional District is a likely candidate to replace. One legislator in 2nd Congressional District is too young to run for Congress in 2016: State Representative Drew Christensen (R - Burnsville) is 22 years old. The U.S Constitutional requirement to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives is 25.

In my initial round of phone calls to Republican activists in the 2nd Congressional District, State Senator Dave Thompson (R - Lakeville) was most frequently mentioned as a possible candidate. In response to a request for comment about whether he had made a decision on running, Thompson responded with "no."

State Representative Tony Albright (R - Prior Lake) said yesterday that he's "been asked if I am interested in running for Congress and I will consider all options but I have made no decisions at this point." Albright added, "it's a tremendous compliment to be considered with such a talented field of candidates."

Former State Senator Ted Daley (R - Eagan) said late last evening that he is considering a run. "I'm meeting with close advisers in the next few days to work out many of the details," said Daley.

Picture source: Tom Wallace, Star Tribune File