Southwest Minnesota and the state could learn today if Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, plans to run for governor in 2010.

Seifert has a news conference planned for this morning.

"I will be making a statement at the Capitol...," Seifert said Tuesday afternoon after Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he would not seek a third term as the state's leader.

Seifert's name has been raised as a candidate for governor - locally and across the state.

"I'm sure Marty is giving it some thought at this point," Republican and Marshall resident Bob Meffert said Tuesday. "I'm sure Marty will give it a good hard look because it's an opportunity."

"I've certainly received a lot of encouragement," Seifert said. The encouragement has come from fellow legislators, donors, county party chairmen and others in the Republican party, Seifert said.

"My cell phone is full of messages," Seifert said.

Seifert is the minority leader in the House. He was first elected to the House in 1996 and is in his seventh term as a legislator. He has won nearly each of those elections by a staggering majority.

"Surely Marty is candidate of caliber," Meffert said. "When others (Republicans) were losing, and this is most important to note, Seifert held his margin. He is electable."

Seifert and Pawlenty have been friends and colleagues since they served together in the Legislature. Seifert was one of Pawlenty's earliest supporters when he ran for governor in 2002.

"We talked on the phone (Tuesday) morning," Seifert said of Pawlenty. "I think he will stay out of the endorsements. I wouldn't even ask him."

Seifert said it would be unfair to ask Pawlenty to endorse him or for the governor to be asked to endorse any Republican candidate when Pawlenty has friends and colleagues in the Legislature.

Marshall lawyer and Republican Bill Toulouse said while he and Seifert have talked about many topics, they haven't talked about the Governor's office.

"It would be a major change," Toulouse said. "Particularly leaving Marshall and friends and family."

Seifert grew up in Redwood County and his wife Traci is from the Ghent area. Many family members live in the region. Seifert and his wife and two children live in Marshall. Seifert is an admissions counselor at Southwest Minnesota State University.

"Certainly I would talk to may family about it. You just can't rush into it," Seifert said.

Whether or not Seifert runs for governor, Toulouse said Pawlenty's absence will create more interest in the race.

"It certainly makes it more interesting," Toulouse said. Candidates who may not have been willing to challenge an incumbent may decide to run, including Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson or Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann or former legislators Gil Gutnecht or Vin Weber, Toulouse said.

"There could be some different voices," Toulouse said.

It's been more than 20 years since a local legislator ran for governor. Republican Cal Ludeman ran and lost the governor's race in the mid-1980s. Ludeman is now the commissioner of the state's human services agency.

Seifert didn't reveal much about his future plans Tuesday, nor did Pawlenty. Still, Toulouse said Pawlenty may be interested in running for president in 2012.

"What this means to me is clearly, Pawlenty has national ambition," Toulouse said.

Pawlenty was considered a top choice for vice president in 2008 until Sen. John McCain selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.