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Klobuchar Downplays Campaign As Challenger Emerges

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is offering a muted response to the announcement that a Republican has stepped forward to challenge her re-election next year.

A campaign spokesman for the first-term Democrat reacted Monday to news that former state Rep. Dan Severson has launched his campaign. Klobuchar's team says she'll remain focused on work in the Senate, including "a reasonable bipartisan plan to reduce the debt."

Spokesman Justin Buoen stressed that the election is more than a year off.

Severson is the first GOP entrant, but he might not be the only one. Several Republicans are weighing bids. The nominee won't be chosen until next summer.

State GOP chairman Tony Sutton said in a news release that Klobuchar may be a likeable public official but she's far from unbeatable.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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