GOP's Haas enters race for governor

Updated: June 10, 2009 - 10:52 PM

Former House member also was Champlin's mayor.

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A former Republican legislator out of electoral politics for five years became his party's first declared candidate for governor since incumbent Tim Pawlenty ruled out a third-term bid.

Bill Haas, 59, said Wednesday that he'll seek his party's endorsement next spring, bowing out if he doesn't get it. He's the first in what promises to be a full field of GOP candidates. Democrats also have a long list of declared and potential candidates.

Haas served a decade in the state House, representing the Champlin area until his defeat in 2004. He was the suburban city's mayor before that. He said he began considering a run for governor in 2007 but planned to run only if Pawlenty didn't.

He runs a small business advising companies on health insurance and is a registered lobbyist for some northern Minnesota Indian tribes.

While stopping short of a no-new-taxes pledge, Haas said he believes there is "enough money in the state budget to do what we have to do in the state."

Haas said he's be committed to running a positive campaign.

"People are fed up with the way campaigns have been run in the past," Haas said. "I have never attacked my opponent nor will I. That reflects back on my integrity."

Haas also said he would abide by state campaign spending caps, which would limit his overall spending to a few million dollars but also qualify him for a public subsidy if he's endorsed.

ASSOCIATED PRESS