State senator says he’ll run against Walz in Minn.

Published 7:50 pm Saturday, October 8, 2011

BLOOMINGTON — A state senator in his first full term said Friday he would try to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in southern Minnesota.

Republican Mike Parry of Waseca said jobs and the economy would be central to his campaign as he tries to convince southern Minnesota voters that Walz, a three-term incumbent, is out of step with the district. Walz, a high school teacher and Army National Guard veteran, has been a Republican target since he knocked off an incumbent in 2006.

“I’m concerned when people tell me he is saying one thing in the district, and then gets to Washington and votes with his ultraliberal allies,” Parry said of Walz, pointing to his 2010 vote in favor of President Obama’s health care bill.

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Kristin Sosanie, spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party, called Parry “a tea party Republican” with views far to the right of most residents in the 1st Congressional District.

“People will get to see what he stands for, which is cutting important programs, making decisions out of line with people in the district and catering to special interests and the far right wing of the party,” Sosanie said.