By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio News

OWATONNA — Four years ago, lifelong Owatonna resident Thomas Partridge figured he would vote for the area’s longtime incumbent Republican congressman, Gil Gutknecht.

But Partridge changed his mind after meeting Democratic candidate Tim Walz at Candies Restaurant in downtown Owatonna.

Partridge, who describes himself as politically independent and conservative, said he liked what Walz, a former sergeant major in the National Guard, was saying about doing more for returning soldiers.

“I was looking for a change in support of our veterans,” said Partridge, a 59-year-old veteran.

Walz went on to win the 2006 general election, part of a national backlash against Republicans. Four years later, Partridge doesn’t know who he’s going to vote for in November. What he does know is that he’s not happy with the direction of the country under President Obama and the Democrats who control Congress.

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