By Pat Doyle

Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, announced Tuesday that he's running for Congress in the First District, a seat held by Democrat Tim Walz. Demmer's entry into the race will initially pit him against arch-conservative Allen Quist for the GOP endorsement. A small businessman, Demmer said he would focus on the concerns of the private sector if elected. He criticized Walz for his support of current health care proposals in the U.S. House, a theme also sounded by Quist. The First district runs across southern Minnesota.