How great would it be to interview people who still want the job you once wanted?

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Patricia Anderson, who is now running for state auditor, will get the chance to try it out. She's moderating what she rightly terms a "unique gubernatorial debate" with the current candidates at 6:30 pm April 13 at Famous Dave's at 3001 Hennepin Ave South in Minneapolis.

From an Anderson email:

No softball questions here. Pat will act as moderator as gubernatorial candidates answer questions relating to issues impacting and impacted by the State Auditor's Office: Local Government Aid, state mandates on local government, public pension plans, school funding and what each candidate views as necessary reform of the relationship between state and local governments.


"It'll be fun," she said in an interview. She said all the GOP gubernatorial candidates have confirmed for the even, except Rep. Marty Seifert, who may have a scheduling conflict.

She said the Famous Dave's event will be free, but people can contribute to her campaign for auditor. She is also pitching it as a "birthday bash" to celebrate the April 13th birthday of Thomas Jefferson.

"It is a combination of a lot of things," Anderson said.