Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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State Rep. Keith Downey, R-Edina, is in a dogfight of a campaign with Democrat Melisa Franzen to win a state Senate seat in the western suburbs. The race is gaining plenty of attention with outside groups spending heavily on the race. (You can read my story about the race 

Despite that close contest, Downey isn't taking a run for higher office off the table. He's been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in 2014.

Earlier this week, Downey downplayed talk of such a run but didn't rule it out.

"We're out door knocking for a senate seat and I'm just trying to meet as many people as I can," Downey said. "I'm flattered when people mention it. If the state were ever in a position where they're looking for somebody with my kind of background and experience, and it made sense to run for something else, I might consider it."

Downey then added that he had 10 more precincts to campaign in over the next few weeks.

Downey is one of several Republicans who are mentioned as possible candidates for governor in 2014. The others include former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson and state Sen. Dave Thompson.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton says he intends to run for re-election.

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Tom Scheck

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Downey downplays talk of run for governor but doesn't rule it out.

Downey doesn’t rule out run for governor in 2014

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