From Roll Call:
On the Republican side, multiple party operatives said to expect a crowded primary. Possible candidates include:
State Sen. Dave Thompson, a former conservative radio host who represents a district south of the Twin Cities. Thompson ran for governor, but dropped out before the primary.
Former state Rep. Kurt Bills, who unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2012.
State Rep. Pat Garofalo, who has been in the state legislature since 2004.
Former state Sen. Ted Daley, who lost re-election in 2012.
Businessman Mike McFadden, who unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Al Franken for Senate in 2014.
State Rep. Rod Hamilton, who first came to the state legislature in 2004.
David Gerson, a libertarian who unsuccessfully waged a primary against Kline in both 2012 and 2014.
http://atr.rollcall.com/minnesotas-john-kline-will-not-seek-eighth-term/
Thompson = Too Conservative
Bills = Has no idea how to campaign. Yeah, Klobuchar's popular, but barely breaking 30% is just inexcusable. Minnesota is not New York.
Daley = Needs a republican year. 2016 might not be that.
McFadden = honestly? First Bills is brought up, then this guy? Is this how pathetic the MN GOP has gotten? McFadden actually lost this district last year, which is unacceptable given how republ2014 was. Jeff Johnson (R) won this district in his gubernatorial campaign last year, so McFadden can't use the whole "the wave avoided the state" excuse either.
Gerson = Total sacrificial lamb candidate. We're not talking about the 4th or 5th district here.
The other two I don't know enough about to comment on.