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Newcomer Launches Minn. 2nd District DFL Campaign

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A political newcomer from Eagan is announcing plans to run for Congress as a Democrat in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

Thomas Craft is launching his campaign at a Saturday morning event in the State Capitol rotunda. Craft says he will seek the Democratic Party's endorsement to run against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline, who is running for a seventh term in the suburban and exurban district south of the Twin Cities.

Craft describes himself as a consultant to private companies on improving efficiency and profitability. The 30-year-old Little Falls native says he believes the best route to overcoming dysfunction in Washington is new lawmakers who will "reasoned debate and political compromise."

Mike Obermueller, a former state lawmaker from Eagan, is also pursuing the DFL endorsement to challenge Kline.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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