One of the few elected gay Republicans in the country, Sen. Paul Koering announced last week that he will seek reelection to his central Minnesota district.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Crow Wing and Morrison Counties for the last seven years, ” Koering said. “I want to sincerely thank everyone for the trust and support they have shown me since I first sought public office.”

Koering has been the target of the anti-gay Minnesota Family Council, but also the target of LGBT activists for his lack of support for a marriage equality bill.

He faces a Republican challenger, Paul Gazelka, who is about as anti-gay as it gets. Tay Stevenson and Terry Sluss are running for the DFL endorsement.