In NW MN, A GOP Challenger For Peterson

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — The man Republicans hope will give longtime Representative Collin Peterson a legitimate challenge in Minnesota's massive 7th District can't see his constituents from across the room, but they can sure see him.

State Senator Torrey Westrom lost his sight at age 14 in a car accident on his family's western Minnesota dairy farm. But Westrom is a big man with a commanding presence when he works a room, and he hasn't lost an election in nearly 20 years as a politician.

Westrom says 24 years for Peterson is long enough. And national Republicans are pouring substantial money into the race for the first time in memory.

Peterson's not sweating it for now. He says most of the people he talks to thank him for advancing the last farm bill.