Amy Sewell, writer/filmmaker:

1. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: smart, strong, seasonsed, and still a super-star
2. Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius: if she makes healthcare reform happen, she’ll deserve superstardom
3. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA): a determined fighter for issues that matter
4. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA): a brilliant businesswoman and leading the nation on one of its top priorities — ending our oil addiction
5. Annie McLane Kuster — a newbie in the field battling to win her first office, but from writing about dealing with Alzheimers to helping pass New Hampshire’s Rx program, she’s got what it takes to go all the way.

Heather Ogilvie, writer/editor

1. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): because she has high ethical standards and promotes legislation to help working families.
2. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA): because she has an excellent voting record on environmental issues and has private sector experience working in a 21st century industry.And because she’s a baseball fan.
3. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA): because she was the only person in either chamber of Congress who voted against the authorization of use of force following the 9/11 attacks, believing the legislation would give too much power to the executive branch.
4. Senator Sue Collins (R-ME): because someone with common sense and compassion should show America that Republican women aren’t just about guns and lipstick.
5. Gwen Ifill: because as Washington Week host and vice presidential debate moderator, she seems as if she could answer the tough questions as well as she asks them.

What does this change for Minnesota? We now have a completely open governor’s race in 2010. There will be no GOP incumbent in a state that has been trending less and less Republican-friendly over the last few election cycles. Obvious front runners for the GOP nomination are Minority Leader Marty Seifert, former Senator Norm Coleman (who may be too much damaged goods at this point in the never-ending contest saga), GOP activist Brian Sullivan, who lost to Pawlenty in 2000.

But it’s the not so obvious that could be interesting. Is Rep. Michele Bachmann interested in Governor, or has her national media campaign showed her hand in possibly running for senate against Sen. Amy Klobuchar? Is Minnesota Majority just an action group, or a way to get Mary Kiffmeyer back in the spotlight after losing Secretary of State to Mark Ritchie. And what ever happened to the Lieutenant Governor Molnau? Is she even around anymore?

This announcement will also lead to an onslaught of new DFL candidates. No one will want to let an open election go by without taking a swing. If Speaker Kelliher is interested, expect to hear from her in the next two weeks. She’ll want to be up and running before the 4th of July.