From TwinCities.com:

Rep. Paul Kohls, a conservative up-and-comer in Minnesota’s Republican Party, has dropped his 2010 gubernatorial bid.

Kohls said Thursday that he’s had trouble gaining traction among a crowded field of Republican candidates, with Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, emerging as the early front-runner to win the party’s April endorsement.

“I’ve come to the conclusion over the last couple weeks that it’s just not in the cards,” said Kohls, a 35-year-old Victoria resident already in his fourth term in the House.

Kohls’ message of fiscal conservatism echoed the field of candidates, many of whom are pitching voters on making government smaller. Specifically, Kohls said he would roll back state spending to 2004-05 levels.

Kohls enjoyed his first statewide campaign and was gaining support, he said — just not at a pace that would catch the front-runners.

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