Michelle Benson considers run for Minnesota governor

Republican state Sen. Michelle Benson is seriously weighing a run for Minnesota governor, Axios has learned.

What we're hearing: The Ham Lake Republican, who also weighed a run in 2018, has gone as far as reserving website domain names for an eventual campaign.

• Benson, who chairs an influential health policy and finance committee, told Torey she'll make a decision once the state budget is done.
• "I am focused on the Senate, but this is too big of an opportunity to walk by without taking a close look," she said Friday.

The field so far: Scott Jensen, a physician and former state senator, and Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy have announced bids for the GOP nomination.

• Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) is also expected to make a public decision around the end of the session.

Of note: DFL Gov. Tim Walz hasn't actually said whether he's running for re-election, but he has more than $1 million in the bank for a bid.