You can watch MN GOP Convention Live

You could watch the convention live from your home in your Jammies or just want to keep updated with what is going on right now.

MN GOP State Convention Live

I am at MN GOP State Convention

There aare lots of people at Minneapolis Convention Center in Downtown Minneapolis. The mood are very festuve.

This morning I saw a Emmer supporter bringing pig around when I arrived to MCC. There was less people unlikely last week when I got to Duluth Entrainment Convention Center.

People was very polite and respectful to me and I wanted to say thank to Sheldon Anderson, who is Mayor of Wyoming MN/House candidate for House District 17 and Anne Neu from Chip Cravaack campaign for getting me on the floor since guest passes are all out.

Several of my co workers from the Cspitol, lobbyist and media are here as well.

My top boss, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is speaking and thanking everyone for their support and volunteering on his past campaigns. Also thanked everyone for his service as Governor.

I have been taking pictures and walking around to see whats going on.

Met children of Rhonda Siverjah who is running mate of Marty Siefert. They are very nice people.

Gonna check out all excitment when I come back from my meeting in St. Paul.

I will be at Minnesota Republican State Convention

I will be at Minnesota Republican State Convention tomorrow, more likely do live tweet because I am not sure if there will be wireless capabilities at the Minneapolis Convention Center due to don’t want to have similar problem when I was in Duluth last weekend when there is no wireless internet access.

I won’t be staying during whole time because in between I have to run over to St. Paul for a meeting on possible promotion at my Capitol job. I plan to be at the convention before and after the meeting.

I am putting my party line aside and be nonpartisan because I want to give fair reading to Republicans and I don’t play favorites when covering stories. I am trying to give Republicans chance to see their stories on my blog. I also do have some friends and co workers who are Republicans and they have right to enjoy the blog as well.

I also do enjoy networking with political junkies at political conventions or events so that is other reason why I am going to Minnesota Republican State Convention.

If you have Twitter, follow me at mncapitolgirl

Minnesota Republican State Convention Details

Here are some details of Minnesota Republican State Convention in case if anyone are interested in going. It will be held at Minneapolis Convention Center.

State Convention Draft Agenda
Subject to Change

Thursday, April 29, 2010

6:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of Colors
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Call to Order
Credentials Committee Report
Rules Committee Report
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – State Auditor
Endorsement for State Auditor
Platform Committee Report

Friday, April 30, 2010

9:00 a.m. Call to Order
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Project Phoenix Update
Volunteer of the Year Awards
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – Governor
Endorsement for Governor
Continuation of Platform Committee Report
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – Attorney General
Endorsement for Attorney General
Nominating Committee Report – Secretary of State
Endorsement for Secretary of State

Saturday, May 1, 2010

9:00 a.m. Call to Order
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Unity Rally
Credentials Committee Report
Local Elected Official of the Year Award
Reports from Party Officers
Judicial Elections Committee Report
Completion of the Platform Committee Report
Constitution Committee Report
Other Business
Adjournment

Convention business, including any committee report and reports from Party Officers, may be considered at any time in the
course of the Convention where any lapse in the agenda or delay for the counting of votes permits.

Reports by Party Officers and speeches by congressional candidates, House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, Senate Minority Leader
Dave Senjem, Congressman John Kline, Congressman Erik Paulsen, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Governor Tim Pawlenty
and other distinguished guests will be inserted into the Convention at the discretion of the Convention Co-chairs per the rules

Minnesota Republican State Convention Website

GOP gubernatorial hopefuls out in force

In a vibrant and fast-paced debate Friday night, Republican candidates for governor told a packed crowd why they would make the best replacement for Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

By RACHEL STASSEN-BERGER, Star Tribune

Last update: October 3, 2009

In a vibrant and fast-paced debate Friday night, Republican candidates for governor told a packed crowd about their bedrock conservative principles and why they would make the best replacement for Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The candidates -- former state auditor Pat Anderson, environmentalist Leslie Davis, state Reps. Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert, state Sen. David Hann, Republican activist Phil Herwig and former state lawmaker Bill Haas -- emphatically agreed in answers to six dozen questions that government should be smaller, largely let people make their own decisions and should tax less.

State Sen. Michael Jungbauer was expected at the gathering but did not show, leaving his podium empty during the two-hour state Republican Party convention event.

The candidates got off some popular lines. Seifert concerning professional lobbyists: "Professionals built the Titanic and volunteers built the ark. I'll take the volunteers." Hann, concerning the root of his governing principles: "I'm a Christian." Herwig, regarding whether life begins at conception: "Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Think about it. Life was first."

Emmer drew applause from the audience by saying that photo identification should be required to vote, Kohls by saying that no public money should be spent on a new Vikings stadium and Hann by saying the state should end the ban on more nuclear power.

The event was a precursor to the convention's big draw today -- a nonbinding straw poll that could give candidates an early look at their support. The poll will give winners bragging rights, and could make losers question their continued candidacies.

After the forum, during which candidates were asked individual questions and had just one minute to respond, some delegates said that their straw-poll decisions were made more difficult.

Cindy Niesen of Minneapolis said that she came to the forum with Anderson as her personal favorite, but, "I have questions now."

Gregory O'Connor of Inver Grove Heights said that he hadn't picked a favorite: "It's a tough decision."

Pawlenty announced over the summer that he would not run for a third term.

Rachel Stassen-Berger • 651-292-0164

Seifert is top GOP pick for governor in straw poll

He won with 37 percent of the non-biding votes from party delegates and was followed by three others in a crowded field.

By RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER, Star Tribune

Last update: October 3, 2009


Minnesota Republicans were told Saturday that they are members of a brand-new party and that Rep. Marty Seifert is their early favorite to be the state's brand-new governor.

Seifert, of Marshall, who came into the race as a front-runner and has one of the most active campaigns, won 37 percent of the first-choice votes in a non-binding straw poll. Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano came in second, former state auditor Pat Anderson third and Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie a close fourth.

The poll won't bind delegates in next year's endorsement fight, but it gave winners bragging rights and losers something to work on.

Several of the candidates who landed at the bottom said a low vote tally wouldn't sway them to leave the race. But it will make front-runners' lives a little easier.

Seifert said that donors and activists want to back a winner and that he has proved he can be that candidate. He said he's got a fundraising mailing almost all set to go out to 20,000 potential donors Tuesday -- and now he'll add in a prominent mention of his first-place straw-poll finish.

All the candidates had their chance to address the crowd at a forum Friday and in speeches Saturday. The list of contenders also includes environmentalist Leslie Davis, Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria, Sen. Michael Jungbauer of East Bethel, Republican activist Phil Herwig and former state legislator Bill Haas. They were bested in the straw poll not just by Seifert, Emmer, Anderson and Hann, but also by votes for "none."

Delegates also heard from party officials about their party's new energy and new strategies to bring it back to power.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who appears to be gearing up for a 2012 race for president, is not running for a third term, and told GOP convention delegates it's time to pass the baton.

Pawlenty, who began by praising God, largely reprised the best lines from addresses he has given to Republicans across the country. He said the benefit of the "cash for clunkers" program is that "it's going to get many cars with Obama stickers off the road."

While the race for the 2010 governorship may not get thinner anytime soon, it may get fatter.

Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman chatted up convention-goers for a few hours and has said he would make a decision on the race in the spring. And Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, has held back from entering the race for health reasons, but says she may jump in when she gets the all-clear. State Commissioner of Labor and Industry Steve Sviggum had also been considering a run.

Brian Sullivan, a gubernatorial candidate in 2002, said that he doesn't plan to get into the race.

Each received at least one vote in the poll, even though their names were not on the ballot.

Rachel E. Stassen-Berger • 651-292-0164

GOP to endorse choice for governor in Minneapolis next year

Pioneer Press

Updated: 08/24/2009


Just as they did in the last governor's race, Minnesota Republicans will gather in Minneapolis next year to endorse a candidate for the state's top office.

State GOP Chairman Tony Sutton said Monday that the late-April event will be at the Minneapolis Convention Center. That is more than a month before the traditional state convention season.

Republicans met there in 2006 when Gov. Tim Pawlenty was endorsed for his second and final term. At least nine Republicans are vying for the party nod.

Democrats will gather in Duluth for their three-day state convention beginning June 4

— Associated Press

Taxpayers League takes the temperature of the GOP delegates on gov race

Source: MPR

Posted at 1:59 PM on June 15, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The Taxpayers League of Minnesota conducted an unscientific straw poll (a fish bowl and blank pieces of paper - that's how unscientific) of gubernatorial candidates at the MNGOP State Central Committee meeting. Here are the results (courtesy of TLM's Brad Biers):

144 Ballots Cast
53 - Marty Seifert
18 - Tom Emmer
15 - Laura Brod
7 - David Hann
6 - Pat Anderson
6 - Steve Sviggum
5 - Paul Kohls
4 - Norm Coleman
4 - Brian Sullivan
4 - Cal Ludeman
3 - Mike Jungbauer
3 - Geoff Michel
2 - Bachmann
2 - Charlie Weaver
1 - Phil Krinkie
1 - Ben Whitney
1 - Joe Ganthier
1 - Dorothy Fleming
1 - Jason Lewis
1 - Warren Limmer
1 - Carol Molnau
1 - Bill Haas
1 - Phil Herwig
1 - Jim Ramstad
1 - Mary Kiffmeyer
1 - Bill Jungbauer

Brod considering run for governor in 2010

June 11, 2009

The New Prague Times

Chuck Kajer, Managing Editor

The recent announcement by Gov. Tim Pawlenty that he would not seek a third term has led to a lot of speculation as to his successor.

There were already a number of D-F-L candidates who either had announced or were considering a run for governor in 2010, and last week's announcement has fueled speculation on a long list of names who could be seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

One of the names being tossed about is that of State Rep. Laura Brod (R-New Prague), who is an assistant minority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During her four terms in office she has become a rising star in the Republican caucus and has been a key spokesperson for a number of key Republican issues.

Brod says in the past week she's been getting a lot of encouragement to run for governor. "I've been thinking about it, and I'm giving myself and my family some time to make that decision," she said in a phone interview Tuesday, June 9.

"I'm weighing all the options out there. Hopefully we'll make a decision within the next month to six weeks."

She said the idea of running for governor is exciting. "I've loved serving the area, but there's a lot we've got to do as a state. We need to make some significant and fundamental reforms so that government doesn't just function, but serves the people well."

Brod says if she runs, the process won't be an easy one. "A candidate has got to have a strong organization and a strong passion for doing the job.

"It will be a long road of talking to people, which is part of what I love to do. I love hearing ideas. I've spent a lot of time in the community and running for governor would be no different, just on an expanded scale."

She said one of the exciting parts of running for office is meeting people with different perspectives. "We need more of that in government. People thinking beyond the next year or two, but in a long-term framework."

GOP meets to name its state leader and rework party's image

Three candidates vying to become Minnesota chair are trying to espouse messages to help restore the party's momentum.

By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune

June 12, 2009

The Minnesota Republican Party's central committee meets today to choose a new party chair amid soul-searching debate over the future of the party.

That the GOP needs "new ideas" has become a steady refrain from Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has announced that he will take his own search for fresh themes beyond the state's borders and will not be a candidate for reelection, setting off a mad scramble to succeed him. Meanwhile, recent years have been marked by repeated electoral setbacks for the state party as a whole. The governorship is the only statewide office Republicans hold, and their legislative caucuses have shrunk to the point where they can barely uphold Pawlenty vetoes.

Pawlenty and GOP legislators have played their weakened hand skillfully, generally maintaining unity to block DFL proposals for general tax increases. But if the party loses the governorship next year, or even a few more House seats, it could find itself lacking meaningful influence over state affairs.

Searching for a message that can restore momentum, Minnesota Republicans will choose among state chair candidates -- Tony Sutton, Dave Thompson and Carrie Ruud -- who don't exactly fill a big ideological tent but represent distinct conservative factions. Current party chairman Ron Carey is not seeking reelection.

As delegates meet in Brooklyn Center, the party also will conduct one of its first prominent tests of the influence of a growing faction within the conservative movement: supporters of Texas presidential candidate Ron Paul. With their more libertarian, small-government bent, the Paulites have been attending grass-roots functions and electing members to party offices. They could have an effect on the elections and the message of the party.

Tony Sutton

Sutton, a veteran party executive and operative, disputes the idea that his election would ensure more of the same. He was recently endorsed for the position by Pawlenty.

"I don't look at it as Old Guard vs. New Guard; I look at it as experienced vs. inexperienced," Sutton said.

A former executive director of the state party, former deputy state auditor and now a businessman, Sutton said he is the only candidate who brings door-to-door skills of politics, government and the private sector together. Those skills will help reenergize a base that often may have felt left out of party functions but is essential in establishing new methods of rebranding the party, using new technologies to develop voter lists and phone banks, he said.

"When people vote Republican, they want people who believe in limited government, less taxes and lower spending," Sutton said. "When they fail to vote Republican, we have not lived up to those principles."

Dave Thompson

Thompson is a former talk radio host who has attracted a large number of Paul supporters. But Thompson, who now practices law after his radio show was canceled, said it is a mistake to characterize him as a libertarian. He describes himself as a social conservative and evangelical Christian who became involved in conservative politics during the Reagan years, not as a result of Paul's candidacy.

"As long as we're all for constitutionally constrained government, for limited government, for local control and for adherence [to the idea] that legislatures should make laws, not the courts, you can call yourself a Ron Paul Republican, a Reagan Republican or an Abraham Lincoln Republican," Thompson said. "Hey, come on, join my party."

Thompson said his radio skills will allow him to do a better job of articulating Republican principles and values.

"You do that in a way that does not just speak to the activists in the party but to Main Street America, that conservative values are the values they share," he said. "We've lost the battle of rhetoric."

Carrie Ruud

Ruud, a former state senator, said she is the only candidate to have been an elected official who has run a successful campaign and one who knows what it's like to lose when the message becomes outdated and voters grow apathetic.

Pointing to Sutton -- the party's current secretary/treasurer -- as a member of the entrenched leadership and Thompson as the candidate for the fringes, Ruud said she will work to include more women and minorities in recruiting, using websites and social networking sites as well as more traditional methods to strengthen local party units that may have gone dormant or atrophied.

"We are a very fractured party," she said. "I don't have the endorsement of the Ron Paul people. I don't have the endorsement of the Old Guard Republicans. I'm trying to represent the whole of the party and not just special-interest groups."

Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636

State GOP chooses Sutton as new chair

A veteran of the party takes the reins at a time of uncertainty.

By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune

June 13, 2009

Minnesota Republicans decided Saturday to, in effect, go back to the future.

Members of the GOP's central committee elected longtime political operative Tony Sutton as their party chairman, at a moment when the party is simultaneously rebuilding and soul-searching.

"Yeah, we're in soul-searching phase, but I think we're coming to the end of that," Sutton said. "I think we're starting to get our sea legs back."

Sutton, who is stepping up from his current post as the state party's secretary-treasurer, formerly served as its executive director and has a political résumé dating back to Ronald Reagan's second term.

Sutton handily defeated two challengers, winning 195 of the 345 votes cast by committee members.

He beat Dave Thompson, a lawyer and former talk radio host, and Carrie Ruud, a former state legislator.

Sutton, who was endorsed for the position by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, waves off characterizations of his win as an insider beating a pair of outsiders.

"It was more a question of my experience versus inexperience that won people over," Sutton, 41, said. "It's silly to characterize me as a grizzled old-time party jack."

He conceded that the party, in Minnesota as well as nationwide, faces a steep uphill trek. "We've got to get back on track and start winning elections," he said. "We have to get back to our philosophical roots, so when we talk about fiscal responsibility, we mean it."

After eight years of a Bush administration in which "Republicans were spending money like crazy, a lot of right-of-center voters lost confidence in the Republicans," he said.

"It's not like people agree with [President] Obama's principles -- they've lost confidence in Republicans. We have to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Being Democrats-light is not an acceptable course."

Sutton said he isn't worried that he faces a split within the party because of a growing faction within the conservative movement: libertarian supporters of Texas presidential candidate Ron Paul. Although many of the Paulites backed Thompson, Sutton said his "pretty broad coalition" contained several of the Texas congressman's supporters.

Sutton new job includes recruiting candidates, mobilizing grass-roots activity support and increasing voter turnout. Next year's election will be critical because the race for governor is wide-open and every legislative seat is on the ballot.

Sutton said he doesn't believe Pawlenty's decision to forgo a reelection bid will hurt the party in 2010. "One door opens and another closes," he said. "Rather than lament his decision, I'm looking forward to a vigorous endorsing contest."

Sutton, who also is a former deputy state auditor, also is chief executive officer of the Baja Sol Restaurant Group.

Central committee members elected Michael Brodkorb, who got his start in the party's machinery as a political blogger, as deputy chairman. And they elected David Sturrock, a professor of Political Science at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, to succeed Sutton as secretary-treasurer.

Bob von Sternberg • 612-673-7184

Hann resigns from state Senate leadership, ponders run for governor

Pioneer Press Politics

By Bill Salisbury
bsalisbury@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 06/09/2009


Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, today resigned as an assistant Senate minority leader so he can focus on exploring whether to run for governor.

"The (Republican) caucus needs to have leadership in place that has a single-minded interest in working for its success," Hann said in a press release. "I have in the past few days decided to devote a significant amount of time to explore other political opportunities that I believe would distract me from a full-time focus on the needs of the caucus."

Hann, 57, a business consultant and second-term senator, is one of four elected assistant minority leaders. He has been responsible for leading the development of the caucus' policy and issue positions.

He said he has been "talking to lots of people" about running for governor and expects to decide whether to join the race in three or four weeks.

Governor was the leader in this session

Star Tribune
Democrats were undisciplined and stubborn. They just want to raise taxes.
By RON CAREY
Last update: May 24, 2009 - 1:05 PM


This legislative session, we have seen a stark contrast in leadership from those at the Capitol.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty offered a balanced budget starting in January. Facing a $5 billion deficit, he worked to set the priorities in state government, incorporated reform and kept Minnesota looking to the future. By not raising taxes, we will be able to attract and encourage businesses to hire more workers so we can emerge from this recession.

On the other hand, Democrats passed spending bills that left the budget unbalanced by $3 billion. In a last-minute stunt, they passed another tax increase to claim they offered a balanced budget even though they didn't have the votes to override a veto. It's a disturbing lack of leadership from the Democrats in charge of the Legislature to fail in their most basic of tasks -- to balance the budget.

Fortunately, Pawlenty will not call a special session and will not allow a government shutdown. He will use the power of line-item vetoes to reduce Democrats' out-of-control spending and will use the process of unallotment to cross the final gap. The decisions he is forced to make because of the Democrats' failure are not easy, but it's exactly the kind of bold leadership we needed in our state. The Democrats, too willing to accept a special session, relish the threat of a shutdown and consistently delay their work to the last minute.

While the Democrats stomp their feet and call Pawlenty names, they have only themselves to blame. They took three months to unveil their tax-increase proposals. They missed their own self-imposed deadlines to pass budget bills. They passed spending bills unbalanced by $3 billion. Then they deliberately passed a last-minute veto-bait tax increase that had no chance of standing.

Democrats refused to sit down with Pawlenty to examine meaningful reforms to state government to reduce the out-of-control rate of growth in large parts of the budget. Instead, they sought to pass the buck to average Minnesotans through myriad tax increases, even though they knew they didn't have the votes to override a veto. Under their proposals, Democrats would have eliminated the home mortgage interest deduction, would have raised income taxes and alcohol taxes, and would have imposed taxes on Internet downloads. No Minnesotans would have escaped the raid on their pocketbooks.

Although Larry Pogemiller and Margaret Anderson Kelliher are fond of accusing Pawlenty of unwillingness to compromise, the Democrats refused to work with Pawlenty. He extended several offers incorporating some of their key priorities and accepting some of their positions, but the Democrats stubbornly refused to give up on forcing Minnesotans to pay billions more in taxes. Raising taxes on working families and struggling businesses during a recession is a recipe for disaster, and Pawlenty was right to stand his ground and say no to more taxes.

In the end, Minnesota will be stronger for Pawlenty's decisive action. The unallotments and line-item vetoes aren't the ideal solution to the budget, but they are the best available tools we have to prevent further overreach from Democrats.

Ron Carey is chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

Upcoming Minnesota Republican Party Events

There are list of Minnesota Republican Party events on their official website. State Convention is set for September 26, 2009 but haven't finalized on where.

Listing of Minnesota Republican Party events

Need some ideas or events information from Republicans

Attention Republicans!
I would like to post your events here since this blog is for everyone not just DFL or Democrats as I stated it is non partisan blog. I am not taking any sides, that just its one stop for all Minnesota Political junkies to check events out or read news. If you have any stories or events that you would like to see here, just email me at senatoreggert@yahoo.com and I will post them here. I appreciate your help and contribution.

I am trying to keep this blog much as non-partisan as I could. The problem that according to Minnesota GOP Party website, there are no events listed so I am trying to get some event information from Republicans.

Former US Senator Rod Grams is running for MN Republican State Party Chair

Heard that Former US Senator Rod Grams is vying for Minnesota State Republican Party Chair.

Grams is very frustrated with how Minnesota Republican Party has been doing for last four years under chairman Ron Carey. He felt that the party has gone to wrong direction and need to go in right direction.

So stay tuned for more details at later date.