Former state Sen. Sean Nienow, who lost his seat to DFL Sen. Rick Olseen in 2006, wants to get back to the Capitol.

"Some people think I'm crazy …but it's a calling," said Nienow.

The Cambridge Republican served one term before losing his seat to Olseen, of Harris, by 436 votes. That number is emblazoned on Nienow's memory. He even calculated that if six people in each precinct voted the other way, he would still be in the Senate.

Nienow's campaign Web site suggests those six folks per precincts actually voted the other way -- its title is "State Senator Sean Nienow" and it features a red and while logo that reads "Your State Senator."

Olseen, who is the current state Senator, also says he is "Your State Senator" on his campaign Web site.

Local DFLers are none too pleased with Nienow's claim that he is "Your State Senator."

"Make no mistake about it, Nienow is not our state senator and has not been for over three years," local DFL party chairs wrote in a letter to the Isanti-Chisago County Star last month.

The area has flipped between parties of late. In 2002, Nienow won his seat by beating DFLer Twyla Ring in a post-redistricting contest.

Since losing his seat, Nienow spent a year as U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's district director and now works at a placement service to match kids with summer camps.

He is at least the second Republican who lost in 2006 and wants to get their old job back. Former Republican auditor Pat Anderson is also in that club. Question: Any others joining that list?