ROCHESTER — An Army veteran and political newcomer is joining the Republican race to challenge U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in southern Minnesota.

Aaron Miller is kicking off his campaign Tuesday with events in Rochester and Mankato. Miller lives in the Rochester-area town of Byron, and works as an account manager for a biopharmaceutical firm.

Miller joins state Rep. Mike Benson of Rochester in the Republican field. Democrat Walz is seeking his fifth term in Congress from the 1st District, which covers a large swath of southern Minnesota.

Miller, 44, joined the Army in 1986 and later the Army Reserves. He has served overseas including in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says the main focus of his campaign will be reining in government spending.