Less than 24 hours after the Mankato Free Press reported in Rep. Tony Cornish plans to challenge Walz in 2016, the Vernon Center lawmaker and former lawman claims Josh Moniz's story overstated the case.
Barely two days after cruising to an easy re-election victory after his second consecutive year without an opponent, state Rep. Tony Cornish confirmed Thursday he plans to challenge recently re-elected Congressman Tim Walz in the 2016 election.
Cornish, a longtime Republican lawmaker from Vernon Center, spoke to The Free Press by phone Thursday while helping friends with skinning a deer. He said he was approached by a few prominent 1st Congressional District activists to run in 2014 against the Mankato Democrat but declined because the field of potential candidates had become crowded.
Cornish said he is announcing this far ahead of the next election — before Walz has even begun his next term —because he wants to get feedback from the public and the Republican Party, which might help prevent another primary battle in the 1st District. . .
Minnesota Public Radio staff writer Tom Scheck tracked down Cornish for additional clarification in Cornish ponders Walz challenge in 2016:
Cornish was also quick to point out that his comments about a possible run are by no means a full-fledged kick off to a 2016 campaign. “If Tony Cornish is going to make an announcement it’s going to be with much more fanfare,” he said.
Should a Walz and Cornish contest indeed emerge, we'll have no shortage of colorful metaphors and a target-rich environment.
Photo: That's one fine doe, bagged by Cornish's son. Can his father aim as well at the seat in congress?
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