Emmer wins Republican leadership post

Minnesota Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer is now a member of his party's leadership in Washington.

Emmer was elected Wednesday to lead the National Republican Congressional Committee, known more commonly as the NRCC.

As chairman, it will be his job to chart his party's course in 2020 U.S. House races. Republicans suffered deep losses last week and surrendered control of the House to Democrats.

Emmer didn’t speak at a news conference after Republicans elected their 2019 leaders. He wasn’t available for an interview.

Emmer easily won his third term representing the 6th Congressional District in central Minnesota. He is one of three Republicans in the Minnesota delegation, along with freshmen Pete Stauber of the 8th district covering northeastern Minnesota and Jim Hagedorn of the 1st district covering southern Minnesota.

The NRCC chair is involved in candidate recruitment and is instrumental in deciding which of the 435 House races the party focuses on. The role can mean extensive travel but also lead to increased national visibility.

Emmer, 57, is a former state legislator and was the 2010 Republican nominee for governor, a race he narrowly lost.

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