Chris Wright

Of nearly 40 announced or possible candidates for governor in 2010, only one will have his own booth at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair. In fact, not counting Minnesota’s sitting U.S. senators, Republican state Rep. Marty Seifert will be the only politician with a booth this year.

The 2010 gubernatorial contest will not be a two-party affair. With no clear favorites on either the Democratic or Republican side of the aisle, the political climate is potentially ripe for a third-party candidate to gain a toehold in the race.