An already packed gubernatorial field for Democrats just got bigger with the addition of a high-profile DFLer: House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher announced this afternoon that she’s filed to run for governor.

Minnpost:

The whole business of announcing a political candidacy has become more and more ritualistic. Take, for instance, the case of House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

For months, the Minneapolis DFLer has made it clear that she plans to get into the race for the DFL nomination for governor.

Today, she took another step toward “officially” getting into the race by posting a message on Twitter saying she is running. Kelliher’s campaign website reports she’s filed the paperwork to start her campaign. She also has sent a letter to supporters.

“Over the past few months I have traveled the state talking to Minnesotans just like you,” she writes. “Today with the support of my family, friends and people across the state, I took the first step to become our next governor by filing the necessary paperwork to run.”

But, of course, none of this means she’s absolutely/formally/officially in the race.

“In a few weeks I will formally announce my candidacy,’’ she wrote in the letter to supporters.

Won’t that be dramatic.

MNPublius:

The Entenza campaign has tried very hard to develop an air of inevitablity — that he is going to be the DFL candidate for Governor. MAK’s candidacy is a bowling ball off an overpass for the Entenza 18-wheeler and right now I’d have to speculate that she will be the DFL endorsed candidate for Governor.

(Note, the piece has been edited, but I’ve decided I enjoyed the original more, so I kept it.)

City Pages:

There is yet another high-profile Minnesota Democrat aiming for the governor’s seat. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher announced her intentions and said she has filed the paperwork needed to run.

We hope all the Democrats don’t slaughter each other just trying to win the DFL endorsement. This could get messy. Too many egos in one pool.

MN Progressive Project:

MAK brings a lot to the campaign. Her rural roots and powerful position at the legislature make her quite formidable. She’s had significant successes and failures at the legislature, but the bottom line is she’s been a leader these last few years as the state legislature has done amazing things like override 2012 Presidential candidate and occasional MN Governor Tim Pawlenty’s veto.

Polinaut has audio from the Speaker.

Her appearance on Quick on the Uptake:

And of course, the inevitable Republican Party statement:

Democrats have put forth yet another big city liberal. The rest of Minnesota cannot afford Margaret Anderson Kelliher’s ‘leadership.’ Whether she’s hiking gas taxes, the metro wide sales tax or income taxes, Kelliher is a dependable pro tax vote. Given her failed leadership as speaker and complete inability to pass a credible budget bill, Kelliher is the last Minnesotan who deserves a promotion.