The Minnesota DFL Party released a statement Saturday in reaction to the nomination of hospital account manager Aaron Miller of Byron receiving the GOP nomination for the 1st District congressional seat.

The statement came after the Tribune’s press time for the Sunday edition, in which the Tribune had its coverage of the 1st District Republican Convention at Southwest Middle School in Albert Lea.

“Southern Minnesotans will once again have a clear choice in this campaign,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “On one hand, they have Rep. Tim Walz, a champion of veterans, farmers, students and seniors in southern Minnesota; a representative who is focused on finding bipartisan solutions and getting things done.

“On the other hand, they have Allen Quist-endorsed Aaron Miller, whose focus will be going to Washington to be a rubber stamp for the reckless Tea Party agenda that shutdown the government in 2013 and wants to turn Medicare into a voucher program.

“We are confident that southern Minnesota will again strongly support Tim Walz,” Martin said.

Quist ran for Congress in 2012 and lost to Walz. Miller garnered the nomination Saturday after the third ballot, when candidate Jim Hagedorn of Blue Earth dropped out. Candidate Mike Benson of Rochester dropped out after the second ballot.