Possible candidates for MNGOP Chair start surfacing
There are a few people who are considering a run for chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota. Party leaders are still trying to set a date for the election after Tony Sutton abruptly resigned as chair on Friday.
The next chair will have a lot of work to do. The party is more than $500,000 in debt and needs to organize for the 2012 elections without a top-tier U.S. Senate candidate to challenge DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Here's a list of those who are either thinking about running or say they won't run for the position.
Former state Rep. Mike Osskopp: Told MPR News that he's thinking about it. He said he'll decide by Sunday. He served in the MN House and also worked for GOP Rep. John Kline.
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Campaign consultant Pat Shortridge: Told MPR News that he's thinking about it. Shortridge has worked for the NRCC, former Rep. Mark Kennedy, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.
Terry McCall: There's a recruiting effort to convince Terry McCall into the race. McCall is the chair of the 2nd District Congressional Republicans and vice chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Minnesota.
Starkey Labs executive Brandon Sawalich:
MPR News couldn't reach him for comment.
Update: Sawalich tells MPR News that he'll take the weekend to talk with friends, family and advisers about running for the post. He said he'll decide by Monday. Sawalich briefly ran for party chair in 2009.
Mike Vekich: Reports on Twitter say he's not running but he has not returned a message from MPR News. Vekich was interim director of the MN Lottery and chaired former Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 21st Century Tax Reform Commission.
Former MN House GOP Speaker Steve Sviggum: Told MPR News that he's not running.
Andy Parrish: GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's Chief of Staff told MPR News he's not running.
Former Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb: Not running
6th District Chair David Fitzsimmons: Not running
News Corp. executive Bill Guidera: Star Tribune quotes him as saying he will not run.
Former MNGOP executive director Ben Golnik: Not running.
Joe Repya: Told KTLK on Saturday that he's being recruited and is considering it.
Sue Jeffers: Told MPR immediately after Tony Sutton resigned that she'd consider it. Update: Jeffers told MPR News on 12/8 that she's still considering the position.