GOP's Charlie Weaver opts out of governor's race

Republican Charlie Weaver, the executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, said today that he would not run for governor in 2010.

"Life is short," he said. "It just wasn't worth the sacrifice."

Weaver, a former state representative from Anoka who also served as former Gov. Jesse Ventura's public safety commissioner and did a stint as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's chief of staff, said he has a great job at the partnership and four school-aged kids who are "poised to become very expensive" and made the decision that his quality of life would suffer if he ran.

He had been considering a run since this summer, when Pawlenty said he wouldn't run for a third term. He said he loves public service but "time with my kids -- particularly at this point in their lives -- is more important to me."

Weaver had been seen as someone about whom the business community could get enthusiastic.

Although the current field of Republican candidates is seen business friendly and could excite business officials, none have significant background in running a large state business. Weaver said he's talked to several heads and former heads of large Minnesota businesses and none seem interested in running.

"I don't sense any business guys...getting in," he said.

"I'm going to wait until the field shapes up," he said. Weaver said he had hoped that Republican National Committeeman Brian Sullivan would get into the race. Sullivan announced earlier this month that he would not run.

"He was someone I could have supported easily," Weaver said.

Republicans currently in the race are: former state commissioner Patricia Anderson; frequent candidate Leslie Davis
state Rep. Tom Emmer; former state Rep. Bill Haas; state Sen. David Hann; party activist Philip Herwig and
state Rep. Marty Seifert. Former Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and state Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, have said they'd consider jumping in the race.

In a news release, Weaver offered ten light-hearted reasons he won't be running for governor:

1. The Governor's Residence is nice, but it ain't Anoka;

3. Has only raised $25.13 so far;

4. Discovered that he has to pay for personal parties at the Residence;

5. Thinks unallotment is a board game;

6. Troopers told him he couldn't wander the Residence in his underwear;

7. Friends are too "busy" to attend convention;

9. Not interested in all those boring budget meetings; and