From The Minnesota Independent:

No Republican contenders in the 2010 gubernatorial contest — except environmental activist Leslie Davis — believe in global warming, according to a report from Minnesota Public Radio. Perhaps most strident is state Sen. Mike Jungbauer (East Bethel), who told attendees at a recent State Fair debate that global warming is “pure, unadulterated BS.”

While the other GOP contenders were less colorful in their declarations, none would own up to believing that climate change owing to human activity is a credible, significant issue. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (Marshall) declared such concerns to be “theoretical.” Rep. David Hann (Eden Prairie) labeled global warming an “excuse” to shift towards alternative energy sources.

As The Independent’s Paul Demko notes, Minnesota’s current Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, doesn’t dispute that climate change is real — even if he hasn’t shown much leadership on the issue lately.

In a state that President Obama carried by 10 points in 2008, expressing skepticism on climate change might help a Republican win a primary, but it could be a very risky general election strategy.

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