Minn. GOP picks political consultant to head party

pioneer press ^ | 12-31-11 | ap

[WOBBLY BOB]

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesota Republicans elected political consultant Pat Shortridge as their new state chair Saturday as the party deals with debts that could total $2 million.

Shortridge, a former top aide to former U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy, defeated businessman Todd McIntyre and Terry McCall, the party's 2nd District chairman, at a meeting of the party's State Central Committee in St. Cloud. Shortridge won on the first ballot, with 66.5 percent of the vote. McCall received 30 percent and McIntyre 3 percent.

"It's about reinvigorating and galvanizing our activists . to restore their confidence in what we're doing," Shortridge told the roughly 450 people at the meeting. He also said it is important "to let our donors know their money's going to be spent wisely," the Star Tribune reported.

Shortridge takes over immediately and will serve the remainder of former GOP Chair Tony Sutton's term, which expires in April 2013. Sutton resigned Dec. 2 amid internal criticism of party finances.

On Friday, party officials revealed that the Minnesota Republican Party is nearly $1.3 million in debt, with another $719,000 in legal expenses that may add to the total. The party also has been rocked in recent weeks by a scandal involving state Sen. Amy Koch, who resigned as majority leader and acknowledged she had had an improper relationship with a male staffer.

[trebb]

Does the guy advise GOP or Dim folks on how to succeed?

[MplsSteve]

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[MNnice]

I’ve voted straight republican since 1980 but I have no time for party politics, nor have I given them a dime of my money. Most of these 450 party regulars couldn’t tell you what a conservative stands for anymore than a democrat could. I can only assume they’re in it for the networking opportunities.

[Solson]

I've been turned off from mn politics since working on the 00 and 04 elections. I was a BPOU chair, not that it means much, but the entire process was run by 70 year old nattering nabobs and old hens. It sickened me. And we had a ton of good young conservatives in the audience who were stunned at the good ole boy and lady network and process.

. there was talk in our county about a mass defection. To a new group. I think that was happening all over the country and believe it gave birth to the tea party like movements.