AM.MN: Pat Anderson bolts from guv race to seek old state-auditor job

Former state auditor Pat Anderson, a top-tier candidate for governor, now wants her old job back. If Anderson overtakes the three Republicans already in the race, there could be an ’06 rematch: DFL incumbent auditor Rebecca Otto said Monday she’ll run again too. Alas, the GOP guv field is losing its only female — but then, says Anderson, some in her party “aren’t sure about whether a woman should be governor.”

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning … 
FARIBAULT: First Senate District 26 candidate forum. From the GOP’s Mike Parry (“The Bible is the inherent word of God”) to DFLer Jason Engbrecht (“We’re going to need some reality”) and Independence Party endorsee Roy Srp (“You should be allowed to be you”). [Waseca County News]

STATEWIDE: Not their thing. Republicans have in recent years tended to lose such special elections for the state Senate. [Politics in Minnesota]

STATEWIDE: Feel better now? Twelve guv candidates swear they haven’t been treated for drugs, booze, anxiety or depression. [Star Tribune]

ST. PAUL: Governor Everywhere. Tim Pawlenty helps North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven run for U.S. Senate, calls Sen. Harry Reid’s comments “dumb,” was an ’08 “no-brainer” for veep, and embarrassed himself at The Daily Caller. [Grand Forks Herald, Star Tribune, Capital Gains and Games]

STATEWIDE: Why do you think they’re the Golden Gophers? Bidding opens for mining on state lands today. [Duluth News Tribune]

MINNEAPOLIS: Vows to improve redistricting. New political boundaries could be based on, say, Netflix rental patterns. [Star Tribune; New York Times]