The Fix: ‘Every elected official in Minnesota’ appears to be in guv’s race

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza has released his latest assessment of the top gubernatorial races in 2010. Owing at least in part to Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s announcement that he won’t seek a third term, Minnesota’s crowded contest makes the cut for the first time, slotting in at 11th. The races are ranked in order of the likelihood that they’ll switch party control. Here’s Cillizza’s brief take on the Minnesota contest:

11. Minnesota (R): Every elected official in Minnesota appears to be running for the seat being vacated by Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R). (The Cook Political Report lists five announced candidates on the Democratic side and seven on the GOP side.) Because there are so many people in both fields, handicapping the race is tough but Minnesota has trended strongly toward Democrats in recent elections and voters are likely to be looking for a Democrat after eight years of Republican control of the governor’s mansion. (Previous ranking: N/A)