Marty Seifert

It’s been less than 24 hours since Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he would not seek re-election and already dozens of names are being floated as possible successors. But it was House Minority Leader Marty Seifert who made the first concrete move with an announcement Wednesday that he would step down from his leadership role in the state House as he considers a gubernatorial run.

Seifert told reporters he was “very serious” about the governor’s race but has to “find out if the initial support is there.”  

“Right now I’m feeling very good about the support that’s there,” he added. Seifert said he expects to make a decision in the next few months.