The Minnesota GOP showcase event of the season, the annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, went off perfectly on Friday evening October 11 in the main Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.

An enthusiastic crowd of Republican supporters and activists, including many from SD49 and SD50, gathered to enjoy conversation, an occasional adult beverage, and a leisurely perusal of an impressive array of silent auction items contributed to further the State organization’s fundraising goals.

The Emcee for the evening’s festivities was former WCCO weather forecaster Paul Douglas, who surprised (almost) everyone in the hall when he revealed himself as a “Born Again Christian” and political conservative! His recount of his experiences as a TV weather man, and a very early investor in GPS technology, along with his sense of humor and easy presentation style, made the evening flow pleasantly and enjoyably for everyone in the hall.

As the dinner portion of the evening’s agenda got underway, we all enjoyed greetings and speeches from leaders including MnGOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan, Congressman Tom Emmer and others as the hotel staff served a sumptuous dinner to a packed hall.

The featured speaker, Congresswoman Liz Cheney from Wyoming, eloquently described her experiences dealing with a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives that has no agenda other than obstruction and “Resistance”. She described several instances that illustrated their complete lack of even the slightest scruple or hesitation in choosing tactics to prevent the administration from achieving any of the goals that Americans voted them into office to accomplish, and then contrasted that with the way business was done in years past.

A number of Republicans from Senate District 49 made their way to Target Center to be part of a high-energy rally for President Trump on October 10. Many went early and volunteered.

Many more stood in line to be part of the big event. They were not disappointed. CLICK HERE  to see a video of the President greeting the thousands waiting for him to speak.

Trump supporters also filled the Club Room at Poor Richard’s Commonhouse in Bloomington on Thursday evening, October 10. Over 70 people registered in advance, and many more came to watch President Trump's rally in Minneapolis streamed live on the big overhead screen. CLICK HERE  to view a short video of the good people at Poor Richard’s.

The turnout in both locations demonstrated the high level of support that the President still enjoys in Minnesota going into 2020.

The parade-watchers for the 2019 Bloomington Heritage Days Parade were generous with their smiles and we heard numerous “go Trump” calls. And the children were delightful as they each politely said "Thank you" for the candy  & stickers handed out by our SD49 GOP group. 

More than 20 enthusiastic Republicans joined together for the Bloomington Heritage Days Parade on September 21. Our message of pro-family, pro-growth received many friendly waves, thumbs up gestures and shouts of “go Trump”. Our group was a little smaller this year as some volunteers joined our recommended local candidates, Ryan Kulka, running for Bloomington Mayor, and Al Noard, running for Bloomington City Council.

We were pleased to have candidates join us as well:

• Kendall Qualls, in center at right, Republican candidate seeking endorsement in 2020 for Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District seat in the U.S. Congress https://kendallforcongress.com
• Lacy Johnson, pictured on right below (click it for video), a candidate seeking the 2020 Republican endorsement to run for Congress in the 5th District https://www.lacyjohnson.com
• Susan Woodruff, pictured above holding her sign, now running for City Council in Bloomington’s 2nd District.

Though the weather was sketchy, our committed volunteers chanced the threat of rain to drive their vehicles after outfitting them with signs and patriotic decorations: Dave Temply on his Spyder motorcycle, Carol Kerr in her red Mercedes convertible carrying the elephant balloon, and John Ward in his red Mustang convertible. Russ Burnison, SD 49 Executive Committee Co-Chair, provided the parking lot space to get everyone ready, loaded and then shuttle to our staging position. Thanks to you all!

THANK YOU to every person who walked with us.   And "WELL DONE" to the team of volunteers (at right) who wrestled the inflatable elephant into place. 

Thanks also to our parade organizers and to the well-wishers who cheered us on along the parade route. We invite all area Republicans to plan to walk with us next year!

More photos are below.

On September 11, 2019 hundreds of MN Republicans and Conservatives gathered at a four-hour CPAC Minnesota event hosted by the American Conservative Union (ACU) Foundation. In response to MN Rep. Ilhan Omar’s “Some People Did Something” comment, the speakers reflected on the 9/11/2001 attacks on the USA.  They highlighted and celebrated the heroism of first responders and citizens around the country then and in the 18 years since. They also discussed what’s happening today that threatens freedom, and advocated thoughtful actions to counter those threats.

Congressman Jason Lewis, newly announced candidate for US Senate in MN, spoke resoundingly in support of the Constitutional limits imposed on the Federal government, including the vertical limits reserving powers to each of the States, or to the people, and gave the historical context for those.  “Due process, the rule of law, the presumption of innocence, probable cause / warrants for wire taps and all the procedural safeguards that are in that little piece of paper that keeps us free (the Constitution) are on the chopping block” when today’s Socialist-advocates, who believe the ends justify the means, are seeking power.  The Constitution is ignored.

Congressman Lewis also got some of the biggest chuckles of the evening when he referred to “the Squad” as a group that makes Nancy Pelosi look like a moderate, and the MN Congressional delegation (with one exception) as “the greatest collection of misfits since the Star Wars bar scene.”

Views of the current political scene and the upcoming 2020 elections were interspersed throughout the evening.

In addition to investigative reporter Sara Carter and ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp, pictured above, the 18 panel participants included thoughtful writers and activists from across the country.

With so many informative and inspirational speakers, the evening moved by quickly.  A brief break for dinner and a post-event social hour gave ample opportunities to meet interesting fellow Minnesotans.

We've provided a link to the event video below, along with a list of the speakers and timestamps to help you more easily navigate.

2020 is an important election year for Republicans here in Minnesota. Our state party is working to build the army of campaign workers needed to help re-elect President Trump and elect Republicans up and down the ballot.

MNGOP is currently looking for more members to join the team, so if you or someone you know would be interested in interning in the MNGOP Headquarters or working as a Field Organizer, send them our way.

These positions are great opportunities to talk to voters, learn about political organizing and help spread the Republican message. You may even get the opportunity to meet the Vice President like two of our recent interns, pictured at left.

To apply for a Field Organizer position, send your resume to[email protected]

To apply for an internship, send your resume to [email protected]

The MN GOP booth at the State Fair was a hit! Enthusiastic crowds of fair visitors from all over the state streamed into the booth, rain or shine. A number of volunteers worked with a few MN GOP regulars to help with registering voters, selling popular Trump merchandise, or taking pictures.

Jason Lewis announced his candidacy for Senate from the MN GOP Booth. Rob Barnett, also campaigning for Senate from a booth around the corner, was a frequent visitor. Kendall Qualls, pictured at left, candidate for Congress in CD3, spent time over three days talking with voters.

The booth was also a frequent stop for national and state legislators. Congressman Tom Emmer, right, standing with State Party Secretary Barbara Sutter and Congressional District 3 Chair Patti Meier, was the highlight one day. Republican leaders at the State Capital dropped by to talk with fair-attendees. The reception overall was genuinely positive. It was, however, marred August 23 by a blatant assault that really reflects the difficulty our opponents have in conducting civil discourse.

A sincere thanks to all who tirelessly worked to make the MN GOP Booth an exciting place to be at the State Fair!

Liberal billionaire Michael Bloomberg is pursuing a new route to push his agenda on gun control and radical environmentalism. Funding political campaigns is expensive, and his chosen candidates don’t always win. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Bloomberg has been staffing attorneys in state Attorneys General offices, with the intent to influence the direction of policy in the states where the state AG allows him in.

Specifically, NYU Law School’s State Energy and Environmental Impact Center (SEEIC) was created after a $6 million grant from Bloomberg, and now aims to offer its services to state AG offices.

The reason this is troubling is best stated by the WSJ’s editorial board:
“The ethical problems here should be obvious. Private interests are leveraging the police powers of the state to pursue their political agenda, while a government official is letting private interests appear to influence enforcement decisions. None of this is reassuring about the fair administration of justice.”

According to the Wall Street Journal at the time of the article in late 2018, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Illinois, and the District of Columbia had brought in a “special assistant attorney general” from the Bloomberg-funded SEEIC.

AlphaNews, in an article published on August 17, reported that Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office may be added to the list. Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) has been seeking information about the involvement of the Bloomberg-funded lawyers in Ellison’s office, information that Ellison has so-far refused to release.

In a press conference UMLC President Doug Seaton announced plans to sue the MN AG Keith Ellison’s office over the issue.

“This is not a fishing expedition because we know these [Bloomberg-funded] lawyers are there,” Seaton said.

Lacy Lee Johnson announced his candidacy for Congress on August 15 in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.

Johnson has been a resident of North Minneapolis for over 40 years. He was born in Natchez MS where his mom, dad, and elders raised him, his six sisters and three brothers. Lacy has been married to his wife Betty for 40 years and together they raised two sons, Darien and Adrian.

Lacy Johnson believes in the values of hard work, personal responsibility, and strong families. His resume on his campaign website  is long and his accomplishments are extensive.

Johnson is a strong critic of the incumbent Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. He believes his community of North Minneapolis and its people are among the best in Minnesota, and he doesn’t believe that they are well-represented by Omar and those that have preceded her.

“There are persistent problems and issues which have gone unresolved for decades in Congressional District 5 (CD5). I have unique skills, experiences, accomplishments, and relationships to develop visible, measurable, result-focused solutions.”

In announcing his campaign, Johnson said, “I want to work hard towards achievement of the American ideals of freedom, justice, and happiness by helping each individual (be) the best he or she can be in the pursuit of happiness…with a realization that the best leaders are first and foremost servants of the people.”

Indian-Americans from the Twin Cities and beyond came to the grounds of the State Capital in Saint Paul on Saturday, August 10, for India Fest 2019. The India Association of Minnesota organizes this annual event in the late summer. It is a unique opportunity to enjoy the culture, the food, and the heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

Republicans were there to engage the great people who attended. The Republican National Committee sponsored the GOP Booth. Esther Lu, the Trump Victory Director of Asian Pacific Engagement, flew in from Washington DC to be part of the team. Debjyoti “DD” Dwivedy (CD3  Vice Chair, and now candidate for Eden Prairie School Board, 2nd from right in the picture) and Barbara Sutter (MN GOP Secretary, on left in the picture) were principal organizers of volunteers at the MN GOP booth.

Republican legislators who addressed the huge crowd and answered questions of visitors to the booth included Sen Roger Chamberlain, Sen Eric Pratt, Sen Dan Hall, Sen Paul T. Anderson, Rep Kristin Robbins, & Rep Eric Lucero (in the center of the pictured).

MN GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan also stopped by midday..

Several dedicated volunteers who helped out during the day at the booth deserve mention: CD4 Chair Mikki Murray (3rd from right in the picture), CD6 Chair Bobby Benson, MN GOP Data Director Yen Lu, Sifang Wu (Asian Americans of MN Chair), Nikhil Joshi (second from left in the picture), Johnson Madamu (on right in the picture), Bharat Chowdhury, Jen Zielinski, and Randy Sutter (SD49 Past Co-Chair).

Kendall Qualls officially opened his campaign for Congress on July 29, intent on endorsement by Republicans in Congressional District 3.  A Republican medical technology executive, Qualls is looking forward to challenging first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips in 2020.

Qualls, a U.S. Army veteran and businessman, announced his candidacy in a biography video that can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.  

In an interview with Fox9 News, he questioned Phillips’ leadership abilities and said Phillips has not been forceful enough in condemning controversial comments from Omar.  Qualls said that he would campaign with President Donald Trump if the president came to the western suburbs.

Qualls is actively reaching out to meet voters.  He attended CD3's voter-registration training in July to greet active volunteers, and was also at the August 4 SD49-SD50 picnic, meeting attendees 1:1 and speaking briefly to the group. 

He knows that early support (volunteer & financial) will be essential, asks for our consideration, and offers more information at his campaign website.