Two different meetings of Minnesota Republicans will be held in Rochester next week.
The State Central Committee will convene at 1 pm on May 12 in the Mayo Civic Center (registration opens at 11 am). The State Central Committee is the body that meets at least twice annually to elect state party officers, to review party finances, to hear officer reports, and to consider changes to the party constitution and bylaws.
No party officers are up for election at this meeting. The highlight of this session will likely be the report given by Chairman David Hann on his first seven months in office.
The MN GOP State Convention will kick off Friday morning, May 13, at 10 am (registration opens at 8 am). Also set for the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, the State Convention involves a larger body of delegates and alternates and will run for two days, through May 14. Occurring every even-numbered year, it is held to endorse candidates that are running for national and state Constitutional offices. The State Convention is a great opportunity to hear from a number of Republican incumbents and candidates already endorsed at Minnesota’s eight Congressional District conventions.
No Presidential or US Senator candidates are up for endorsement in Minnesota this year. The State Convention will be considering candidates for MN Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Auditor.
The official Convention Call for the State Central Committee meeting was sent by email May 2, and the State Convention call is expected to be sent out by email very soon. Times and potential lodging options are listed on the MN GOP website. Registration links and costs are provided in the Calls.
State Central Committee meetings involve a limited number of delegates and alternates. Elected during odd-year local Republican conventions, they serve for two-year terms. In 2021, the last time State Central Committee delegates and alternates were elected, the former Senate District 49 convention elected three (3) delegates and nine (9) alternates from its 3rd Congressional District precincts and one (1) delegate and two (2) alternates from its 5th Congressional District precincts.
State Conventions welcome a larger number of delegates and alternates. Primarily elected during even-year local Republican conventions, they also serve for two-year terms. This year, the new Senate District 50 convention elected 23 delegates and 37 alternates from its 3rd Congressional District precincts and three (3) delegates and four (4) alternates from its 5th Congressional District precincts.
Under the MN GOP Constitution, State Convention delegates are permitted to leave the convention floor prior to adjournment. Delegates and alternates unable to attend both days of convention business are not required to stay the whole time. If a delegate leaves the convention floor at any time, an alternate may be seated in their place.
