By Baird Helgeson
Dr. Maureen Hackett, a forensic psychiatrist from Minnetonka, has taken the first steps to challenge U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen in the 2010 race for Minnesota's 3rd District Congressional seat.
Hackett formed a campaign committee and has a campaign web site under construction.
An online biography says she consults for organizations experiencing problems with executive and employee distress. Companies often hire her when they have concerns about an executive's fitness for duty. Before that, she was a psychiatrist in the U.S. Air Force and conducted emotional fitness evaluations for technicians, pilots and commanding officers.
Hackett is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Minnesota and teaches at the William Mitchell College of Law.
Hackett has been a regular donor to DFL candidates, including Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar and Patty Wetterling. She also donated to Ralph Nader, according to the web site, campaignmoney.com.
She could not immediately be reached for comment. Check back for updates.
