Donohue mulls another Assembly run

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Last year, with the popular state Senate candidate Jeff Van Drew heading up the ticket, Democrats swept the election in the 1st Legislative District. 

But after a narrow defeat last year, Republican Michael Donohue said today that he’s seriously mulling another bid for the Assembly seat, and that 2009 will likely be more advantageous for Republicans than 2007.

“I think it’s going to be very competitive, and I’m thinking about it,” said Donohue as he sat for breakfast with the Republican delegation this morning.

Donohue currently heads up John McCain’s campaign in Cape May County, and said he’s focused most of his energy on that.  But after November, he’ll start weighing his bid more seriously, and he’ll get the currently moribund exploratory committee fund he set up immediately after the last election raising money. 

Donohue thinks this time could be different for a number of reasons.  For instance, the popular state Sen. Jeff Van Drew will not be on the ticket, while Gov. Corzine – whose approval ratings are less than stellar  – will be.

“We will in all likelihood have a strong gubernatorial candidate, whoever it is,” said Donohue.

Incumbent Democrats Nelson Albano and Matt Milam, Donohue said, may have a hard time standing without Van Drew to prop them up.

“As far as I can see -- and I say this with all respect because they are nice guys -- but they don’t have an original thought.  It’s all driven by the Senator: what they do, where they go,” said Donohue.  “Nelson has departed on a couple things from Jeff’s position, which shows a little bit of independence.  But for the most part they’re in lock step with the Senator.”