CaringBridge Founder Will Challenge Kline in 2014 Congressional Race

Eagan resident and CaringBridge founder Sona Mehring says she's sick of gridlock and career politicians.

Which is why Mehring announced early this week that she plans to challenge Second Congressional District Rep. John Kline in 2014, a GOP stalwart who has represented Shakopee since 2002. Mehring, a newcomer on the political scene, isn't the only Democrat with her sights set on Kline; Mike Obermueller, who was defeated by Kline in the 2012 election, will likely announce his candidacy later this week, according to the Star Tribune.

Kline received 54.01 percent of the total votes cast in the 2012 election to Obermueller's 45.85 percent.

Mehring, who founded CaringBridge in 1997, has a long litany of awards and accomplishments, including recognition as one of the "Most Influential Women in Technology" by Fast Company and one of 25 Women Industry Leaders in the Twin Cities by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal. She also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for your service to the community.

In a statement posted on her new campaign website, Mehring wrote:

When a friend was in a time of crisis, I stepped up with an innovative idea to help her solve a problem. That idea became CaringBridge and has helped millions of families get through challenging times.

Well, there is a crisis in Washington and I am ready to step up again with innovative solutions. Instead of helping solve the problem, career politicians are part of that gridlock and are out of touch with the people they are elected to represent.

You can also follow Mehring's campaign via the candidate's Twitter account and Facebook page.