By Baird Helgeson

Some people probably know Robert Carney Jr. as the latest Republican addition to the Minnesota gubernatorial race.

Others might know him as the man who filed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to stop funding a program that reimburses people who give to political campaigns (a judge ruled against Carney on Monday, but he's considering an appeal).

In asking for Carney's cell phone number, Hot Dish discovered he might need some taxpayer-funded campaign donations himself.

"My cell phone is currently not in service," he wrote in an e-mail. "However, I'm seldom away from the house for more than a few hours. Feel free to call any time -- I get up very early."