Democrats are starting to come out of the woodwork after 8th District Congressman Rick Nolan announced he’s not running for re-election. State Representative Jason Metsa says he’s considering a run for Congress, but it’s not a decision he takes lightly. The state Republican Party is affirming its support for candidate Pete Stauber who’s a Saint Louis County Commissioner and a retired Duluth police officer. Ray “Skip” Sandman is seeking the Independence Party endorsement.
Republicans’ candidate for 8th District U-S House in 2016, Stewart Mills, said last fall he would not run against Nolan a third time and blasted the National Republican Congressional Committee for not adequately supporting his campaign. Mills wasn’t immediately reachable to comment on the latest developments in the race.