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Capitol View®
Catharine Richert

GOP candidate for Sec. of State withdraws

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Dennis Nguyen has withdrawn from the Minnesota Secretary of State's race.

Nguyen, a local businessman, was the only GOP candidate for the open seat, which will be vacated by current Secretary of State Mark Ritchie this year.

“My four young children require my active involvement in their lives," according to Nguyen's Facebook page. "Additionally, global equity markets are on the upswing and I need to focus on bringing a number of New Asia Partners’ investments to the market in 2014. This will require spending a lot of time over the next few months traveling both domestically and internationally. With my many ongoing obligations, both business and civic, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for me to make a full time commitment to a statewide campaign at this time.”

Nguyen's campaign manager, state Sen. Branden Petersen, R-Andover, would not discuss the reasons for the decision. But Petersen offered high praise for Nguyen.

“I think Dennis Nguyen is a great guy, a great candidate, a great business leader and a great civic-minded citizen,” Petersen said. “He’s lived a life of great accomplishment, and he’s got absolutely a world of opportunity in front of him. He’s going to continue to make a positive impact in the organizations that he’s a part of.”

Last week, the Minneapolis City Pages reported that Nguyen frequented strip clubs.

Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Keith Downey said his party will put another candidate up for the spot. Here's Downey's statement:

"The Republican Party of Minnesota certainly appreciates Dennis Nguyen's willingness to run, especially since Mark Ritchie's time as Secretary of State has seen rampant partisanship from an office that should be above reproach.  We also respect Dennis' decision now not to run. We know he will remain active and engaged to elect Republicans in Minnesota.  Thankfully, the field of potential Republican candidates considering running for Secretary of State remains very strong, and we will field an excellent candidate to restore the integrity of the Office of the Secretary of State."

State Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, who previously held the office, said she’s been encouraged to run again. but she declined to say whether she’s thinking about jumping into the race.

Two candidates are competing for the DFL endorsement.  State Reps. Steve Simon of Hopkins and Deb Hilstrom of Brooklyn Center want the job.

MPR News reporter Tim Pugmire contributed to this report.