A week before Republicans choose a congressional candidate in the 4th District, military veteran and Hamline University student John Meyer announced his candidacy Thursday for the party's nomination.

Meyer joins St. Paul lawyer and CPA Ed Matthews in seeking the party endorsement to run against U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat going after her fifth term representing Ramsey County and a small portion of northern Dakota County.

Like Matthews, Meyer said he would abide by the party endorsement, which is expected April 5.

Meyer, 24, has been a member of the Minnesota National Guard and was called up for active duty in 2004. He served in Saudi Arabia before returning in January 2006 to Hamline, where he majors in political science and is scheduled to graduate in May.

A Duluth, Minn., native, Meyer said he never sought public office before but was encouraged to this time by family and friends.

"There were a lot of people around me who said I'm the type of candidate they would want to see,'' said Meyer, predicting his age and energy would distinguish him from other candidates.

He also said he would appeal to a broader crosssection of voters than college-age students.

"If we look at issues that college students have, they are not that different from what the general population has,'' he said. "They are all worried about the future of the U.S. economy, will Social Security exist when I get to that age, and will we have financial stability when I retire.''

Meyer said Congress must put aside differences to solve the nation's problems. In particular, he said it could do a better job educating the public about options available to people affected by home foreclosures. He also said he supports eliminating the capital gains tax for middle- and low-income individuals and families, a move he said would spur savings and investment.

As for the Iraq war, Meyer cautioned against a quick withdrawal.

"Regardless what you believe in, we are now in a situation where we have to see it through to the end to make sure the Iraqis have a safe and stable government,'' Meyer said, adding, "Doing so quickly and hastily is ill-advised and not for the long-term interests of this country or Iraq.''

He criticized McCollum for legislation she's sponsoring that would send U.S. tax dollars abroad to prevent deaths of young children.

"I think when we have children here in the U.S. who don't have health care, that should be the focus,'' he said.

McCollum spokesman Bill Harper said the measure has long-term benefits because it attacks global poverty, a cause of political instability and terrorism.

Democrats have held the 4th District seat for 60 years, with McCollum winning recent elections by 2-to-1 ratios. She reported raising $268,145 last year and had $115,270 in her campaign treasury at the start of this year.