After taking a pounding from Congressman Tim Walz in the 2012 general election, Republicans in the 1st Congressional District appear to be dusting themselves off and getting serious about preventing the Mankato Democrat from winning a fifth term.

When Jeremy Miller walked in the 2010 La Crescent Applefest Parade, his interactions with voters led to a lot of questions. “Who are you?” they asked. And: “You’re running for what?” And: “Are you even old enough?”

Republican 1st Congressional District candidates Mike Parry and Allen Quist may have spent the last few weeks trading barbs in press releases and news accounts, but many of those who actually live in the state’s southernmost district haven’t seemed to notice.

It’s a bit of déjà vu for Republican activists in the 1st Congressional District. Just two years ago, delegates at the endorsing convention had to pick between state legislator Randy Demmer and former legislator and conservative stalwart Allen Quist for the party’s backing in the race.

Longtime conservative stalwart Allen Quist put weeks of rumors to rest early Thursday morning at the Country Kitchen in Winona, where he officially launched his second run for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District.

On Wednesday evening roughly 40 people gathered in the strip mall offices of the Winona Education Association to hear from freshman GOP Sen. Jeremy Miller. The event was organized by the Southeast Minnesota Area Labor Council, and most of the people present were union members.

The month of March witnessed several interesting endorsing conventions for state legislative seats. In many instances, the conventions sorted out who will carry their party’s banner in November. In other cases, the endorsed candidates are being challenged in a primary. Here’s a rundown of what occurred at some of the notable conventions from the month past.

Last month, we highlighted legislative incumbents who were facing intra-party challengers. Now, one of the DFLers on our list, Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona), doesn't have to worry anymore.