Minnesota Progressive Project has an interview with Duluth City Council member Jeff Anderson who says he’s considering a run for the seat formerly held by Rep. James Oberstar who was defeated in November by Republican Chip Cravaack. Anderson, who is gay, says he’s considering running because many of the people he would back for the seat have decided not to run.

“I’m only considering because the top 5 people I expected to run aren’t,” he told MPP. Minnesota’s 8th congressional district encompasses the Iron Range, the North Shore and the far northern exurbs of St. Paul. “I’m a fourth generation Ranger,” Anderson said. “I grew up in same house my great-great-grandfather from Finland built.”

The district’s voters are liberal on labor and environmental issues but also conservative on issues like abortion and LGBT equality. Despite that, Oberstar was a strong supporter of LGBT rights during his time in Congress.

Thus far, few challengers have even speculated about jumping into the race for 2012. Could Minnesota see it’s first LGBT major party candidate for federal office in Anderson?