Rybak: Coleman's decision doesn't impact mine

By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger

The Twin cities mayors have been linked together a lot lately.

They had both been traipsing around the state, both Democrats had been considering runs for governor and both had been not quite ready to declare themselves candidates.

Then St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman Thursday shocked political observers, his staff and even himself by announcing he wouldn't run in the crowded governor's race.

Friday, Rybak said he was surprised by the announcement, too, but no one should expect Coleman's decision to change his own.

"I really respect Chris (but) we are different people," who will arrive at decisions differently, said Rybak.

Coleman said he decided he needed to work on issues in his own city rather than run for governor.

The Minneapolis mayor, like the St. Paul mayor, is up for re-election this November. Rybak said voters in his city know it is likely he's going to run for governor but he's not in yet.

"I think it is best to run one race at a time," he said.

And what about the state Republican Party's complaint that he has been an active candidate and should have long ago filed his candidacy with the state campaign finance board?

"I am not going to lose any sleep over them issuing press releases," he said.

He said his travels have been perfectly legal. He's spent his own money for gas and hasn't stayed overnight at any of his ventures across the state, he said.

"When the car gets empty I pull over…so far I'm not broke," he said.

Mark Drake, spokesman for the Minnesota GOP, said if Rybak spent more than $100 he's broken campaign finance law.

The next state campaign finance board's meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the board's Web site -- two days after voters go to the polls in the Twin Cities.

"The Board will consider this matter during the executive session of its Oct. 6, 2009 meeting. The executive session is closed to the public," Jeff Sigurdson, assistant director of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board wrote to the chairman and deputy chairman of the state Republican Party late last month. "I anticipate that the Board will lay the complaint over to the November 3, 2009 meeting in order to provide staff with additional time to gather information and responses to the allegations in your letter."