Phil Hansen, who starred as a defensive lineman for North Dakota State University and played in three Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, is running as a Republican for the Minnesota Senate seat long-held by Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, who is retiring.
Hansen, 43, said in a written statement released today that he "will announce plans to start a new chapter in my career and give back to (the) place I love and call home," according to the Forum of Fargo and Moorhead.
Hansen will hold news conferences Thursday in Ada, Detroit Lakes and Fargo to announce he will seek the Republican endorsement to oppose Rep. Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, for the Senate seat, according to Fargo's KFGO radio, where Hansen does color commentary for Bison football games.
He grew up on a large farm near Oakes, N.D., and now lives on Lake Melissa, near Detroit Lakes and also officiates at high school football games.
Drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Bills, Hansen played 11 years for the team, including in three Super Bowls and was inducted into the team's hall of fame in September. He played on two Division II championship teams for the Bison.
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He will speak at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the community center in Ada.
Langseth has held the seat since 1980.
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