Koering decides against run for governor, cites fundraising and sexual orientation

Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, abandoned his exploratory committee for governor yesterday, citing fundraising difficulties and a refusal of many Republican activists to support an openly gay candidate, ECM Publishers reports.

Koering announced in June that he was putting together an exploratory committee to determine if he had the support to launch a campaign.

But he deemed a run not feasible, gauging that, after Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s unallotment dismantled the political contribution refund program, fundraising would be “extremely difficult.”

On the issue of GOP activists not willing to back a gay candidate, Koering said, “I didn’t really want to say that. [But] that’s a hurdle some delegates can’t get over.”

Koering also said his views are sometimes not conservative enough to placate the party base. He’s gotten a bad rap from the Taxpayers League, and he’s come out in favor of some progressive causes, medical marijuana, for example.