Demmer running for Congress again

State Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, issued a news release today announcing he'll once again run for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District.

Demmer is after the seat held by incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn. Demmer also ran in 2008 but lost his bid for the GOP endorsement. IN a phone interview, Demmer said he's disturbed and upset with the direction of Congress and what he sees as the expansion of government.

"I think we're in a period of unsustainable government growth, the likes of which we've never seen," Demmer said. "And I'm very concerned about today and I'm very concerned about the future. And I feel that I have an opportunity and or an obligation to step in and do something."

Demmer said his focus is on the Congressional race, and he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota House. Former state Rep. Allen Quist is also seeking the Republican endorsement in the 1st District.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Listen to the Demmer interview here.

Update: The race for the GOP endorsement will get a bit more crowded tomorrow. MPR's Tom Scheck received a cryptic e-mail that said a "Fresh Face with Familiar Name to Announce Campaign for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District" on Wednesday morning. The Rochester Post-Bulletin speculates that it's Jim Hagedorn, son of former Congressman Tom Hagedorn.

Update: DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez released this statement on Demmer's candidacy:

"Randy Demmer is a perfect candidate for the right-wing, 'Party of No' Republicans. And now that he's running for Congress, Demmer is showing his true colors.

"As a state representative, Randy Demmer gladly accepted federal Recovery Act money for southern Minnesota. But now he is speaking out against all the jobs created by federal recovery money to gain favor with the Tea Baggers and ultra conservatives -- even calling the 7,000 teaching positions created or saved a waste. He believes the construction jobs created by highway work in Rochester were a waste; he believes the jobs created by replacing Highway 169 in St. Peter were the result of a free-for-all, and he believes that the jobs created by rebuilding the water plant in Waseca simply weren't worth it. Do voters in southern Minnesota really want a representative who opposes jobs and growth?

"Representative Walz is working to create jobs, fire up the economy and curb out-of-control health-care costs. He is focused on getting the job done and delivering for southern Minnesotans. Representative Walz has a proven record in Congress as a leader for Minnesota values, and his constituents will remember that record when they reelect him in November."