Republican U.S. House candidate Tom Emmer will tour the Sixth District ahead of the February precinct caucuses.

Emmer's six-city, five-day tour swing begins Monday in St. Cloud and wraps up Friday in Waconia, with stops in Hugo, Anoka, Buffalo and Becker in between.

A former state representative and gubernatorial candidate, Emmer is one of three Republicans vying to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Bachmann in the Sixth District, the most conservative in the state. Former state Rep. Phil Krinkie and Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah are also vying to replace Bachmann.

With Emmer's decision to abide by the GOP endorsement, the Feb. 4 precinct caucuses are critical for his campaign. In recent emails to supporters, Emmer has stressed the importance of lining up support from delegates ahead of convention season.

"For my campaign, this is an important first step in earning the endorsement of the grassroots activists to run for Congress," Emmer wrote.

There are also three DFL candidates in the Sixth District race -- Sartell Mayor Joe Perske, activist Judy Adams of Circle Pines and Jim Read, a college professor from Avon, but the last Republican candidate standing will be a heavy favorite to represent the district.

The Rothenberg Political Report, a respected political handicapping service, lists the seat as "safe Republican."