Republican Party of Minnesota
Encyclopedia
The Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota
branch of the United States Republican Party
. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton
, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.
was held in Minneapolis. Republican candidates routinely won the state governorship as well as most other state offices. The party was aided by an opposition divided between the Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party
, who eventually merged in 1944.
. Polls conducted in the early-mid 1970s indicated people in Minnesota were more likely to vote for a candidate who identify as an "Independent" versus a "Republican". During that time, the state party became more dependent on grassroots fundraising
and eventually went bankrupt. After the National party pumped money into the party, in the early-mid 1980s, their image and base began turning more conservative. During this time the party had both US Senate seats and briefly held control of the state House of Representatives. By 1994, the grassroots had turned socially more conservative, and changed the name back in 1995. Attempts to drop the term "Independent" had been defeated in 1989, 1991 and 1993.
is a Republican. After Pawlenty's re-election in 2006, Republicans held the governorship for 16 of 20 years through the end of 2010. In the general election of 2010, the party captured both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature
for the first time since the 1970s, and defeated 18-term Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar
by electing Chip Cravaack
, despite having lost every statewide race. The 2008 Republican National Convention
was held in St. Paul.
For the 2010 state-wide elections, the party endorsed State Representative Tom Emmer
and Metropolitan Council
member Annette Meeks
for governor and lieutenant governor. State Representative Dan Severson
was the endorsed candidate for secretary of state
. Attorney and psychologist Chris Barden was the endorsed candidate for attorney general. Patricia Anderson
was the endorsed candidate for state auditor
. All five candidates lost their respective elections.
For the 2006 senate elections, the party endorsed Mark Kennedy for United States Senate
, who lost to Amy Klobuchar
.
For the 2008 senate elections
, incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman
was defeated by Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Al Franken
by 312 votes out of over 2.5 million cast after a long series of dramatic and contentious re-counts.
State Legislature
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
branch of the United States Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton
Tony Sutton
Anthony G. "Tony" Sutton is the current chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota and founder of a political public relations firm, Winning Strategies.-Biography:...
, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.
Early history
The Republican Party in Minnesota was the dominant party in the state for approximately the first hundred years of Minnesota's statehood, from 1858 through the 1950s. The 1892 Republican National Convention1892 Republican National Convention
The 1892 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held at the Industrial Exposition Building, Minneapolis, Minnesota, from June 7 to June 10, 1892. The party nominated Benjamin Harrison from Indiana for re-election as President of the United States on the first ballot...
was held in Minneapolis. Republican candidates routinely won the state governorship as well as most other state offices. The party was aided by an opposition divided between the Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party
Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party
The Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party was a political party in the United States state of Minnesota, the most successful and longest-lasting of the constituent elements of the national Farmer–Labor Party movement, which had a presence in other states...
, who eventually merged in 1944.
Independent-Republican era
The Independent-Republican Party (I-R) was the name of the party from November 15, 1975 until September 23, 1995. The name change was made because the “Republican" name was damaged by the Watergate ScandalWatergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulting from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement...
. Polls conducted in the early-mid 1970s indicated people in Minnesota were more likely to vote for a candidate who identify as an "Independent" versus a "Republican". During that time, the state party became more dependent on grassroots fundraising
Grassroots fundraising
Grassroots fundraising is a method of fundraising used by or for political candidates, which has grown in popularity with the emergence of the Internet and its use by US presidential candidates like Howard Dean and Ron Paul...
and eventually went bankrupt. After the National party pumped money into the party, in the early-mid 1980s, their image and base began turning more conservative. During this time the party had both US Senate seats and briefly held control of the state House of Representatives. By 1994, the grassroots had turned socially more conservative, and changed the name back in 1995. Attempts to drop the term "Independent" had been defeated in 1989, 1991 and 1993.
Current party information and endorsed candidates
The previous Governor of Minnesota Tim PawlentyTim Pawlenty
Timothy James "Tim" Pawlenty , also known affectionately among supporters as T-Paw, is an American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Minnesota . He was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election from May to August 2011...
is a Republican. After Pawlenty's re-election in 2006, Republicans held the governorship for 16 of 20 years through the end of 2010. In the general election of 2010, the party captured both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
for the first time since the 1970s, and defeated 18-term Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar
Jim Oberstar
James Louis "Jim" Oberstar is a former U.S. Representative who served in the U.S. Congress from 1975 until 2011 as a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. He represented northeastern , which included the cities of Duluth, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Hibbing...
by electing Chip Cravaack
Chip Cravaack
Raymond "Chip" Cravaack is the U.S. Representative for northeastern serving since January 2011. In his first try for political office, he upset 18-term Democratic incumbent Jim Oberstar by a margin of 4,400 votes to become the first Republican since 1947 to represent the district...
, despite having lost every statewide race. The 2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
The United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008...
was held in St. Paul.
For the 2010 state-wide elections, the party endorsed State Representative Tom Emmer
Tom Emmer
Thomas Earl "Tom" Emmer, Jr. was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 until 2011 and the Republican nominee for governor in the 2010 election. He represented District 19B, which includes portions of Wright and Hennepin Counties and the cities of Otsego, Albertville, St....
and Metropolitan Council
Metropolitan Council
The Metropolitan Council or Met Council is the regional governmental agency and metropolitan planning organization in Minnesota serving the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area. The Met Council is granted regional authority powers in state statutes by the Minnesota Legislature. These powers...
member Annette Meeks
Annette Meeks
Annette Meeks is a Minnesota Republican politician, a member of the state's Metropolitan Council, and was the 2010 endorsed Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, running with gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.-Biography:...
for governor and lieutenant governor. State Representative Dan Severson
Dan Severson
Daniel Mark "Dan" Severson is an American politician. He is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who represented District 14A, which includes portions of Benton and Stearns counties in the north central part of the state. He was also a candidate for Minnesota Secretary of...
was the endorsed candidate for secretary of state
Minnesota Secretary of State
The Minnesota Secretary of State is the state secretary of state of the state of Minnesota.The Secretary of State is the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota and files and certifies the authenticity of a wide variety of official documents...
. Attorney and psychologist Chris Barden was the endorsed candidate for attorney general. Patricia Anderson
Patricia Anderson
Patricia "Pat" Anderson is a Minnesota politician and current national committeewoman for Minnesota to the Republican National Committee. She served as the 17th State Auditor of Minnesota, from 2003 to 2007. Prior to this, she was mayor of Eagan, Minnesota for four years after serving as a city...
was the endorsed candidate for state auditor
Minnesota State Auditor
The Minnesota State Auditor is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. State of Minnesota. The State Auditor is charged with overseeing more than $20 billion spent annually by local governments in Minnesota...
. All five candidates lost their respective elections.
For the 2006 senate elections, the party endorsed Mark Kennedy for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, who lost to Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar
Amy Jean Klobuchar is the senior United States Senator from Minnesota. She is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, an affiliate of the Democratic Party...
.
For the 2008 senate elections
United States Senate elections, 2008
Elections for the United States Senate were held on November 4, 2008, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested. Thirty-three seats were regular elections; the winners were eligible to serve six-year terms from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2015, as members of Senate Class II...
, incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman
Norm Coleman
Norman Bertram Coleman, Jr. is an American attorney and politician. He was a United States senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009. Coleman was elected in 2002 and served in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses. Before becoming a senator, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2002...
was defeated by Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Al Franken
Al Franken
Alan Stuart "Al" Franken is the junior United States Senator from Minnesota. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which affiliates with the national Democratic Party....
by 312 votes out of over 2.5 million cast after a long series of dramatic and contentious re-counts.
Current elected officials
The Minnesota Republican Party holds none of the five statewide elected offices but holds a majority in both the Minnesota Senate and Minnesota House of Representatives. Republicans also hold 4 of the state's 8 U.S. House seats.U.S. House of Representatives
- John KlineJohn Kline (politician)John Paul Kline is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. The district includes most of the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities, including Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville and Eagan. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:Kline was born...
; 2nd districtMinnesota's 2nd congressional districtMinnesota’s 2nd congressional district covers the south Twin Cities metro area and contains all of Carver, Scott, Le Sueur, Goodhue and Rice Counties. It also contains most of Dakota County and south Washington County including the cities of Cottage Grove and the southern part of Woodbury... - Erik PaulsenErik PaulsenErik Paulsen is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives...
; 3rd districtMinnesota's 3rd congressional districtMinnesota's 3rd congressional district is one of the most affluent in the state, encompassing the suburbs of Hennepin County to the north, west, and south of Minneapolis... - Michele BachmannMichele BachmannMichele Marie Bachmann is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing , a post she has held since 2007. The district includes several of the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, such as Woodbury, and Blaine as well as Stillwater and St. Cloud.She is currently a...
; 6th districtMinnesota's 6th congressional districtMinnesota's 6th congressional district includes most or all of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. The district is Republican-leaning with a CPVI of R + 7. It is currently represented by Republican Michele Bachmann.... - Chip CravaackChip CravaackRaymond "Chip" Cravaack is the U.S. Representative for northeastern serving since January 2011. In his first try for political office, he upset 18-term Democratic incumbent Jim Oberstar by a margin of 4,400 votes to become the first Republican since 1947 to represent the district...
; 8th districtMinnesota's 8th congressional districtMinnesota's 8th congressional district covers the northeastern part of Minnesota. It is anchored by Duluth, Minnesota which is the fourth largest city in state. It also includes most of the Mesabi and Vermilion iron ranges. The district is best-known for its mining, agriculture, tourism, and...
State LegislatureMinnesota LegislatureThe Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
- President of the SenatePresidents of the Minnesota SenateThe following have served as Presidents of the Minnesota Senate.From statehood until 1973, the Lieutenant Governor served as president. Not all Lieutenant Governors served at the same time as the Senate was in session. Those who served as President were:...
: Michelle FischbachMichelle FischbachMichelle L. Fischbach is a Minnesota politician, a member and the current president of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 14, which includes portions of Benton and Stearns counties in the west central part of the state. Prior to the 2002 redistricting, the district also included portions...
- Senate Majority Leader: Amy KochAmy KochAmy T. Koch is a Minnesota politician, member and Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 19, which includes portions of Hennepin and Wright counties in the northwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area....
- Senate Majority Leader: Amy Koch
- Speaker of the House: Kurt ZellersKurt ZellersKurt Zellers is the current Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A Republican, he served as Minority Leader of the House from June 23, 2009, until becoming Speaker on January 4, 2011. He represents District 32B, which includes portions of Hennepin County in the northwestern Twin...
- House Majority LeaderMinnesota House Majority LeaderThis is a list of Majority Leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives- Notes on Minnesota political party names :*Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party: On April 15, 1944 the state Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party merged and created the Minnesota...
: Matt DeanMatt DeanMatthew T. "Matt" Dean is a Minnesota politician, a member and the current Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He represents District 52B, which includes all or portions of the cities of Birchwood, Dellwood, Grant, Hugo, Mahtomedi, Marine on St...
- House Majority Leader