Penny says he lacks "fire in the belly" to run for gov

Former First District Rep. Tim Penny is ruling out a run for governor.

"Bottom line, I am certainly not thinking of any sort of a run for public office — governor or anything else for that matter," he said.

As speculation has swirled around potential Independence Party candidates for the 2010 governor's race, Penny's name has continued to pop up. But Penny, who now heads the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, said he is enjoying his job and has no interest in jumping back into politics.

"I don't have the fire in the belly to get into politics at any level right now," he said.

In 2002, Penny ran for governor as an Independence Party candidate, losing in a three-party race. He previously served as a DFL congressman representing the First District from 1982 to 1994. He also served in the Minnesota Senate.