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Minnesota: Bonoff Formally Kicks Off Bid for Ramstad Seat

State Sen. Terri Bonoff (D) announced Monday that she officially was in the race for the open 3rd district seat.

The field for the Democratic nomination for the seat continues to grow as Iraq War veteran Ashwin Madia (D) also has announced a bid, while Edina Mayor Jim Hovland said he’s also leaning toward getting into the race as well. For the Republicans, state Rep. Erik Paulsen has said he will run.

Bonoff made her announcement Monday morning at a local high school. In a phone interview, Bonoff said her minimal experience in politics — she was first elected in a special election in 2005 — is a plus for her candidacy.

“I was a businesswoman for 20 years,” Bonoff said. “I was an executive at a public corporation. … I have a tremendous depth of experience in making things happen. If you look up my record in the state Senate, it is truly a record of accomplishment in a very short amount of time.”

Madia announced his bid two weeks ago and plans to make Iraq a central issue of his campaign.

“I think that Iraq is the seminal issue facing our nation,” Madia said. “I spent seven months in Baghdad. I spent four years in the Marine Corps so I understand Iraq and I understand the military. I look forward to going to Washington to help get out country out of Iraq without leaving a disaster behind.”

Both Madia and Bonoff have said they will abide by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party endorsement decision and will not force a primary.

Hovland, who recently switched from the Republican to Democratic Party, said he’s “leaning now more towards getting in than not getting in” the race as a Democrat.

— Shira Toeplitz

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