Rotenberg nixes '06 Minnesota Senate run

MINNEAPOLIS, April 5 (UPI) -- University of Minnesota general counsel Mark Rotenberg said he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2006, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Rotenberg had been considering running as a Democrat in 2006 for the seat being vacated by Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn.

"The mountain of money necessary to deliver my message is daunting, and I would rather spend my time working on the issues rather than be consumed with the full-time task of fundraising," Rotenberg said in a written statement.

Two Democrats -- Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar and child-safety advocate Patty Wetterling -- have taken preliminary steps toward running, and others are considering joining the race. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy and former Sen. Rod Grams -- whom Dayton defeated six years ago -- have announced their candidacies.