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DFLer Joins Race Against Republican Paulsen

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A businessman and Navy Reserve veteran from Edina says he will seek the Democratic nomination to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen next year in his suburban Minneapolis district.

Brian Barnes says Monday that Paulsen, who was first elected to the seat in 2008, has acted like a moderate but sided with conservative Republicans on most major issues. Barnes says his main goal in Congress would be to create jobs.

Barnes runs the sales department for the marine division of Cummins Inc., a global manufacturer of engines and generators. He has not run for office before but has been active in local Democratic politics. The 3rd District covers a large portion of suburban Hennepin County. Another Democrat, small business owner Sharon Sund, previously announced her campaign.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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