Republican state Rep. Matt Dean running for governor

(KMSP) - Republican state Rep. Matt Dean is joining the race for governor of Minnesota. He is the first GOP member of the Minnesota Legislature to announce his candidacy. 

Dean, of Dellwood, has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2005. He served as the majority leader from 2011 and 2013 and currently chairs the Health and Human Services Committee.

Dean joins a field of four other Republicans and five Democrats who have already announced they are running for the open seat.

The Republicans include Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman, Chris Chamberlain, Phillip Parrish, Jeffrey Warton and Ole Savior. The DFL candidates are St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, state Rep. Erin Murphy and state Rep. Tina Liebling.