Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer and other GOP candidates for state office will embark Wednesday on a three-day Freedom and Prosperity statewide bus tour.

"There are 3.1 million adults in this state, and I figured I've touched .1," Emmer said in a recent interview. "That gives me 3 million to (meet) in the next five months."

Joining Emmer will be his wife, Jacquie, his running mate, Annette Meeks, attorney general candidate Chris Barden, auditor candidate Pat Anderson and Dan Severson, a candidate for secretary of state.

The group plans to visit 20 cities, from Rochester, to St. Cloud, to Fertile.

"The future is ours for the taking - the future is bright for Minnesota if we are willing to take a positive approach to the challenges ahead," Emmer wrote in a letter to supporters. "We must redesign government to provide the services citizens expect in an efficient, affordable and sustainable manner. At the same time, we must create a business environment that will allow our existing employers to not only survive, but to once again thrive."