This post relies on reporting by my Minnesota Monitor teammate Joe Bodell as well of my own.

There’s a fresh wave of discussion in Washington and Minnesota of the possibility that U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad may change his annnounced plans to retire and seek another term. A very good source of mine has stated that this active reconsideration is occurring. My colleague Joe Bodell has the same information from a different Capitol Hill source.

Rep. Jim McCrery of Louisiana, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, has decided to retire. Ramstad currently ranks three seniority notches lower, but could be offered the ranking position as an inducement to stay.

[JB]:  Apparently, the two Republicans ahead of Ramstad on the seniority totem pole — Wally Herger of California and Dave Camp of Michigan — are seen as minor roadblocks to Ramstad’s ascension, especially if the position of ranking member is dangled as a carrot to entice him out of retirement. 

Ramstad’s seat is currently seen as one of the most competitive open seat races in the nation.  An unretirement would call that status into question:  with the NRCC strapped for cash, caucus leaders will be looking for any opportunity to save money by turning a toss-up race into a likely hold for the GOP.