Perpetual dysfunction (UPDATE)

The Republican Party of Minnesota state convention is slated for this Friday and Saturday but State Central delegates are already causing a stir. 

First was their desire to not allow media of any kind to attend Thursday's meeting of the State Central Committee delegates. The natural question was ---- why? We soon found out. 

Let’s be clear: the @MNGOP State Central Committee voted to prevent filming at their meeting so they could secretly kick LGBTQ+ members out of the party. Every @MNGOP candidate for statewide office seeking the party’s endorsement needs to condemn this decision.

— Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) May 12, 2022

Not just the LGBTQ members (i.e. Log Cabin Republicans) but all affiliates. 

 

I've heard from multiple sources that not only the @mnlogcabin have been unaffiliated, but ALL affiliates, including the @MNCRs and @minnesotayrs #mngop pic.twitter.com/5747uYwuzz

— Rob Doar (@robdoar) May 12, 2022

Party chair David Hann responded to the intense criticism which ensued.

 

Due to time constraints, the State Central Committee was unfortunately not able to complete its work today in recertifying our statewide partner Republican organizations. We value the contributions these organizations have made to our party and want to continue our relationship with them to build and grow the Republican Party in Minnesota.

While this is technically true, those is attendance have suggested a minority number of SCC delegates who desired to decertify these affiliates deliberately "ran out the clock" so as to not allow an opportunity for a vote. All indications are that there were enough votes to recertify. 

This is definitely not over as several angry delegates plan on bringing a motion to the floor in an effort to get the affiliate delegates seated. While some have pointed out that the MNGOP constitution clearly states affiliate recertification is under the purview of SCC delegates, there is a legit workaround. 

The mngop constitution says that affiliate recertification happens from state central. However, state statute trump's mngop constitution. Section 202A.12 subdivision 1 is what you'll want to use.

— David Paul Pascoe (@DavidPaulPascoe) May 13, 2022

Sure enough.....

 

Well played State Central, well played.
Let's see how the convention feels.
"The final authority over the affairs of each major political party is vested in the party's state convention" #mngop pic.twitter.com/SIv04Q6cVl

— Rob Doar (@robdoar) May 13, 2022

Mitch Berg and me will be broadcasting live from the MNGOP convention this Saturday from 1-3 PM on AM 1280 The Patriot. There will definitely be lots to cover as this all unfolds. 

UPDATE: Delegate Rob Doar will propose amendments Friday morning two recertify affiliates and seat their delegates. 

If you are a delegate to State Convention today, I ask you to support the addition of these items to the agenda. Even if you are not supportive of all affiliate groups, the decision belongs to the body.
A small handful of people should not be able to override the will of the body

— Rob Doar (@robdoar) May 13, 2022

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