As 2009 draws to a close, a number of individuals have announced their candidacy for one of Minnesota's eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

One race in particular could garner national attention, as DFLers Tarryl Clark and Maureen Reed compete for the opportunity to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 6th District. Clark is a St. Cloud attorney serving her second term in the state senate; Reed is a doctor, former member of the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents, and was the Independence Party's nominee for Lt. Governor in 2006. While Sen. Clark appears to be the frontrunner for the DFL nomination, Dr. Reed has stated that she looks to run in a primary.

Other interesting races include the 1st District, where the long list of potential opponents for two-term incumbent Rep. Tim Walz (D) includes Allen Quist, a Republican candidate for Governor in 1994, and the 3rd District, where Minnesota PTA president Jim Meffert and Minnetonka-based physician Maureen Hackett have declared to run against Rep. Eric Paulsen (R).

Although they have registered challengers, Congressmen John Kline (R) and Jim Oberstar (D) are expected to easily win reelection. To date, Reps. Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison and Collin Peterson do not have challengers.

For more information on all of Minnesota's upcoming elections, please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's website: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=4.