Former WCCO anchor Shelby considering Congressional bid

Don Shelby
WCCO's Don Shelby reports the news during his AM radio show in Minneapolis in late 2009. He retired from the show that year after 9 years as a radio host with the station.
Jessica Janoski/St. Paul Pioneer Press via AP

Former WCCO anchor Don Shelby is considering a bid for a seat in Congress.

Shelby was a staple of TV news in Minnesota for more than 30 years, until he retired.

In a statement given to his latest project, a website called BringMeTheNews, Shelby says he has been approached to challenge Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen in the 3rd Congressional District, which covers the western suburbs of Minneapolis.

That district narrowly voted for President Obama over Mitt Romney in last year's presidential campaign, a sign that the right Democrat could do well there. So far, though, none have announced a bid to unseat Paulsen.

Shelby says he's flattered by the attention and that running for office is worth thinking about — but that he hasn't made up his mind.

Paulsen is in his third term in the House and has developed a reputation as a strong fundraiser. His campaign has $1.3 million in the bank.

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