By Mike Kaszuba
Rep. Cy Thao, DFL-St. Paul, deflected questions Thursday of whether he will seek re-election in light of being fined by the state campaign finance board.
Thao commented on his predicament following Gov. Tim Pawlenty's state-of-the-state address and, despite saying he had not made up his mind, thanked well-wishers who stopped by his desk in the House to wish him good luck. Thao's controversies have aleady led to speculation that he will face multiple candidates should he run again.
"No press," said Thao, smiling as he was approached by a reporter. "I'm not going to do any press. I still got a couple of other [things] I got to do yet."
Thao laughed when asked whether his decision was related to last week's fine by the board, which fined him $3,000 and ordered him to repay $1,700 in public subsidies for his actions in 2006 and 2008. "No," he said. "No."
Thao, a fourth term DFLer, was reprimanded for overpaying a friend, a relative and his own company for lawn signs, other campaign material and office space. The board said Thao's campaign paid a firm he and his wife owned $2,000 for office space, even though it was worth no more than $500.
He strongly criticized the decision.
"I'll announce it probably in April, whether I'm seeking or not seeking," he said Thursday. Thao also said he had not privately told supporters of his plans. "I haven't got to that point yet."
