By: Michael McIntee, UpTake Reporter

Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman announced he is running for the Governor of Minnesota in 2018. As the first Major Republican to announce, Commissioner Huffman is seeking the GOP endorsement.

Watch the video replay of announcement and press conference

Prior to his second term as County Commissioner, Huffman served 16 years on city council and served as Vice President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and currently leads a non-profit providing affordable housing for military families and those impacted by domestic violence.

Huffman said he does not support the Republican “preemption” bill that allows the state to tell cities what laws they can and cannot pass. However, he says he does not support the safe and sick time ordinances in Minneapolis and St. Paul that the GOP proposal is meant to override.

Huffman said he will probably abide by the Republican endorsement process and not run in the primary if he loses unless he is “unfairly attacked,” in which case he says he may run in the primary.