MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Former state Rep. Allen Quist made a political comeback Tuesday, beating state Sen. Mike Parry in the Republican primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Tim Walz in southern Minnesota.
With most precincts reporting, Quist had 54 percent of the vote to 46 percent for Parry. The win capped a raucous primary contest that saw the two Republicans tearing into each other after trading over-the-top comments. The 1st District, with many rural areas but also cities including Rochester, Mankato and Winona, has been a political swing area; but Democrat Walz has built a formidable base of support.