Cross Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce President John Wade off the list of Republicans interested in taking on Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.).

Wade circulated a statement to local press outlets saying he was not interested in the campaign for the 1st district seat. The statement is also posted on the Chamber’s blog.

Four other Republicans are in the race: Randy Demmer, assistant minority leader in the Minnesota House; Jim Hagedorn, a longtime congressional aide and administration staffer whose father, Republican Tom Hagedorn, represented part of the current 1st District in Congress from 1975 to 1983; former state Rep. Allen Quist, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1994; and retired military veteran Frank McKinzie.

The Republican Party in Washington would like to see state Sen. Julie Rosen or former state Rep. Brad Finstad join the fray but neither has taken the leap.

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Likely Democratic.

To follow all the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map.