Former CaringBridge CEO announces run against Kline

Sona Mehring, founder and ex-CEO of CaringBridge, announced Tuesday that she's challenging Republican U.S. Rep John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

The DFL candidate from Eagan started the nonprofit website in 1997 and employs more than 65 Minnesotans, the Pioneer Press reports. CaringBridge connects patients to their loved ones while facing a health crisis.

Mehring also founded software consulting firm Beacon Point Technologies, according to the newspaper. She has a degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has three sons.

MPR and Star Tribune report Mehring recently stepped down as CEO and hinted at a run two weeks ago.

Democrat and former state representative Mike Obermueller is also expected to formally announce his 2014 run against Kline this week.

Kline, a sixth-term Congressman from Burnsville, had a bit tougher path to re-election last November after redistricting shaved off a conservative slice of the south suburban district and inherited the liberal St. Paul suburbs.

Kline defeated Obermueller last year with 54 percent of the vote.