Campaign 2008

State senator launches campaign for U.S. House

by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio

State Sen. Dick Day, the challenger to the endorsed Republican candidate for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District, said he has much more experience in government than his opponent.

St. Paul, Minn. — State Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, kicked off his GOP primary campaign today outside the State Capitol.

Day is challenging Brian Davis of Rochester, who won the Republican endorsement in the 1st Cogressional District. The primary winner will face Democratic incumbent Rep. Tim Walz in November.

Day said he will stress his experience this summer as he travels throughout the southern Minnesota district.

"If people don't want experience, then probably they'll have to go the other way," Day said. "But if they're looking for somebody that's been on a city council, a county board, and in the state Senate and knows the district, I hope they'll lean my way."

Davis said he takes Day's challenge seriously. But for now, Davis said he's focused on unifying party activists behind his campaign.

The state GOP convention begins Thursday in Rochester.