News n’ notes heard ’round the various water coolers of the 3rd congressional district:

* With Terri Bonoff now officially in the race, word is spreading rapidly of the Minnetonka senator’s potential strength.  Sources outside the district are even becoming aware of Bonoff’s ideological fit for the 3rd and prowess among the education lobby.

* As rumored, former St. Sen. Steve Kelley is out of the 3rd district picture.  Coupled with the departure of Buck Humphrey from the race, the odds are increasingly looking like the DFL will nominee a woman for the seat.

* Despite his name being repeatedly mentioned as a likely GOP candidate and stating that he’s weighing his options, St. Sen. Geoff Michel is doing nothing to indicate that he’s legitimately exploring a run.  Michel has not been merely outpaced by quasi-frontrunner St. Rep. Erik Paulsen but seems to be at the starting gate mulling whether or not to tie his shoes.  He’s not running.

* Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek’s name is increasingly coming up in the GOP ranks as the heavyweight with appeal to independents and Democrats.  Given his massive victory in a county that John Kerry won by almost the same margin, Stanek could possibly assume the mantle of frontrunner if he announces soon enough.  But…

* Paulsen is effectively starting to corner the market on support.  As witnessed by TvM’s exclusive, Paulsen has the fundraising appartus in place and the institutional backing is beginning to follow.  At the same time, TvM is running into more and more nervous Republicans who are wondering whether the former Majority Leader has the profile and skills to win in a toss-up district with the wind potentially at the DFL’s back.  As one 3rd District vet put the situation, “my heart is with Erik…but my head is with Stanek.” 

* Who might be running from the GOP as Ramstad’s moderate heir?  Although he’s sworn to run for re-election in his district, St. Rep. Ron Erhardt claims to have been repeatedly approached – especially by members of the media – about his running for the seat.  Erhardt, the gas-tax advocate, is quoting WCCO vet Eric Eskola as saying that Erhardt fits the district perfectly.  With Erhardt drawing his first GOP endorsement opponent ever, and a very serious looking candidate at that, the GOP’s leading RINO may chose to gore his party one last time and run for Congress.