Longtime Rep. Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., will announce Monday that he will seek a 13th term in Minnesota’s 7th District, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune , ending months of speculation about his future political plans.  

Political observers said Peterson could retire this cycle after successfully negotiating a farm bill as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.  

However, Peterson will announce at a news conference that he will stand for re-election in this northern Minnesota House district.  

“I still have a lot of work to do,” Peterson said in a news release, according to the Star Tribune.  

Peterson has long defied the partisan lean in this district, which voted for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney by a 10-point margin in 2012. Because of that, Republicans are making Peterson a top target in 2014 . GOP State Sen. Torrey Westrom announced a challenge to Peterson in December.  

Still, Democrats were glad to confirm he is seeking another term.  

“Residents of Minnesota Congressional District 7, as well as rural residents across the nation, received great news today when Congressman Collin Peterson announced he is seeking reelection in November,” said Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.  

Minnesota’s 7th District is rated a Lean Democrat contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.