Sen. John Marty announced on Monday that he is organizing an exploratory campaign for governor. The 22-year senator of the suburbs north of St. Paul ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Arne Carlson in 1994 losing by a large margin.

“After receiving strong encouragement from health care reformers and others, Senator John Marty is launching an exploratory campaign for Governor,” reads a message on the website www.johnmarty.org. “The campaign being announced through email and other contacts to thousands of health reform advocates and other Minnesotans.”

Marty is best known in recent years for his push for health care reform, specifically a single-payer system, and a commitment to marriage equality and environmentalism. He has been a staunch opponent of public financing for sports stadiums and a proponent of campaign finance reform.