Republican state Rep. Tom Emmer, a candidate for governor, Monday released a statement on former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman's decision not to run for govenor.

You can see Coleman's statement as well as a release from Republican state Rep. Marty Seifert, another candidate for governor, here.

Emmer's statement:

As I reflect on Norm Coleman's decision today, I am reminded of Teddy Roosevelt's famous Man in the Arena speech - a speech often quoted by Senator Coleman. As Mayor of Saint Paul, U.S. Senator and leader of our party, Norm Coleman has been that man in the arena on behalf of Minnesota.

As Roosevelt said: "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena ... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly."
Norm Coleman was an effective member of the U.S. Senate during a very difficult period in our nation and he has earned our respect and gratitude. I look forward to working with Norm "in the arena" in the future and I pledge to meet his challenge today to work for a more civil and respectful political environment.