meffertDemocrats running for Congress in the Minnesota’s Third District keep finding ways to mention Michele Bachmann, who represents the neighboring Sixth District. Last week Maureen Hackett dropped Bachmann’s name in a fundraising appeal. Now Jim Meffert boasts in a press release that the man at the helm of his campaign was “the first DFLer to run against now Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.”

It was 10 years ago that Ted Thompson set Bachmann on a path to the state’s and nation’s capitols, losing to her by 4,359 votes, 52 percent to 43 percent. Now he’ll coordinate Team Meffert (say it fast).

Meffert and Hackett both want to unseat freshman Rep. Erik Paulsen, whose re-election prospects, like Bachmann’s, continue to earn a “favorable” ratings.

Other staffers announced Tuesday include veterans from campaigns of Ashwin Madia and the state senator he bested to earn the Third District DFL endorsement two years ago, Terri Bonoff. Madia went on to lose to Paulsen in the general election.

Bonoff hasn’t said if she’ll run for Congress again.