The Minnesota Democratic Party’s ballot for an Aug. 14 primary just got more crowded.

Attorney General Lori Swanson announced Monday she would run for governor with retiring Congressman Rick Nolan as her running mate. During the campaign they plan to emphasize their problem-solving skills.

“We have big problems facing Minnesota and we need all hands on deck,” Swanson said.

Nolan said he decided to join the ticket early Monday after meeting with Swanson Sunday. He called Swanson the most accomplished attorney general in the nation.

“I have such admiration and respect for her,” Nolan said.

That brings the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate field to three and more could enter the race before Tuesday’s filing deadline. Republicans applauded the growing field of DFLers, saying it was clear the party had no clear standard-bearer.

THREE-WAY DFL RACE

Rep. Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, and Rep. Erin Maye Quade, of Apple Valley, got the DFL endorsement over the weekend at the party convention in Rochester. Mankato Congressman Tim Walz and state Rep. Peggy Flanagan, of St. Louis Park, competed for the endorsement, but dropped out after it became clear they couldn’t get the required 60 percent of delegates’ votes to prevail.

Walz had long said he would run in the primary, regardless of the outcome of the convention. Rebecca Otto, who also competed for the party endorsement Saturday, suspended her campaign for governor Monday.

The Walz campaign welcomed Swanson to the race Monday and pointed out that Nolan had already endorsed their bid. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton threw his support behind Murphy, who he said had “transformative leadership.”

KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN

While Swanson’s electoral plans have been hard to pin down, her decision to enter the race for governor is far from a surprise. She was considered early on as a contender, but in January she announced she would instead seek re-election as attorney general.

Then came the DFL convention when Swanson withdrew from the endorsement contest after failing to get the 60 percent of delegates’ votes on the first ballot. Instead the party’s backing went to Matt Pelikan, of Northfield, who had criticized Swanson’s job performance and her 2010 support from the National Rifle Association.

Asked about the A-plus rating the NRA gave her during her first re-election campaign, Swanson said it was likely more about her “peculiar” opponent at the time than her credentials. Swanson added that she supported gun rights and reasonable new gun control measures like the ones DFLers proposed during the legislative session that concluded in May.

Democrats proposed expanding background checks and allowing law enforcement to seize guns from people deemed dangerous. Republicans’ near unified opposition to those proposals kept both from coming to the floor for a vote.

Gun rights will likely be a key issue both in the primary and in the fall general election. Positions that hurt candidates with partisan delegates at the conventions could later help them with more moderate voters.

While explaining their support for modest gun control reforms, Swanson and Nolan made it clear they support the Second Amendment.

Nolan told reporters Swanson suggested a trap shooting contest to determine who would be at the top of their ticket. “I knew she’d win, so I agreed to be lieutenant governor,” he said.

Swanson’s decision to run for governor instead of attorney general could set off a series of political dominoes as other candidates try to decide which office they have the best chance of winning.

At least three are possible prospects for Swanson’s current job — Minneapolis Congressman Keith Ellison, former Attorney General Mike Hatch and former state Rep. Ryan Winkler — have all expressed interest in replacing Swanson if she ran for something else.

Candidates jumping into statewide races could open up other seats that had previously appeared safe for incumbents.

REPUBLICANS HOPE TO CAPITALIZE

While Democrats were making last-minute decisions on a race to enter, Republicans and their supporters moved to cast them as a party without clear leadership.

“This weekend showed a DFL that is in complete disarray with no coherent message and few, if any, candidates to rally behind,” said Gina Countryman, who leads the Minnesota Action Network, a conservative political action committee.

Related Articles To mask or not to mask at MN polling places. Judge hears arguments.

New Brighton Mayor Valerie Johnson suspends bid for re-election

In online U.S. Senate debate, Tina Smith and Jason Lewis at clear odds

Early voting begins in Minnesota: Things to know

Federal judge weighs if Gov. Walz orders on coronavirus violated Jason Lewis’ right to campaign Candidates who were endorsed at the Republican convention over the weekend in Duluth held a news conference at the Capitol to detail their priorities.

But they’ll have some primary drama of their own. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to challenge endorsed candidate Jeff Johnson for the party nomination to run for governor.

Pawlenty went on a campaign blitz Monday, flying around the state to several cities.

Asked his reaction to Swanson’s entry into the race, he said, “We love it! This is the American way.” Pawlenty said he wants more candidates, voters and ideas involved in the race.

He came prepared with a handout that showed what he called the “dramatic differences” between his record and those of DFL-endorsed candidate Erin Murphy and DFL challenger Tim Walz. He apologized that he didn’t have time to update the grid to contrast his stands with Swanson’s.

Pawlenty criticized the Democratic candidates for supporting tax increases, more government control of health care and “going easy on illegal immigration,” all of which he opposes.

He declined to criticize Johnson. “We think it’s really important that if you’re going to have a contested primary, you do all that you can to make it likely the party can unite after the primary,” he said. “We want to keep shooting at other Republicans to a minimum in the interest of being able to unite the party post primary.”

Bill Salisbury contributed to this report.