Good morning, and happy Monday.
A legal dispute is brewing between the Republican Party of Minnesota and the party’s former chair.MPR’s Brian Bakst reports: Former Minnesota Republican Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan sued the state party in relation to her ouster, claiming that her ability to gain new jobs in politics was damaged by remarks made by past colleagues. Carnahan’s lawsuit filed Thursday in Hennepin County District Court alleges she was improperly disparaged in violation of a separation agreement she signed in August 2021. Carnahan resigned amid allegations of a hostile work environment and other internal troubles. She was paid about $38,000 when she stepped down. The party immediately fired back with a countersuit that said Carnahan’s actions damaged the party’s reputation. The counteraction also criticized Carnahan’s association with a major operative and donor who is facing a raft of federal charges.
And over the weekend the Republican Party Central Committee reelected David Hann as party chair and Donna Bergstrom as deputy chair for a two year term. “I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the last 13 months in raising money and building the operation needed to lay the foundation for future victories,” Hann said in a statement. “There is much work ahead for us to take back our state legislature, win more statewide and congressional elections and deliver our state to the Republican nominee for president in 2024.” Jenna Dicks was elected party secretary.
The incoming chair of the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee is a college professor with little experience with farming.MPR’s Dana Ferguson reports that’s not discouraging him or leaders of some of the state’s biggest farm groups: Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, was quick to acknowledge that he’s got a lot to learn before the legislative session starts in January. After snapping a selfie with the governor and a turkey at the Capitol last month, the communication professor at Saint John’s University and the College of St. Benedict said he’s getting ready to meet with farmers around the state before he takes the helm of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “I think what it takes to do this work well is humility and curiosity. And I have more of that than many of the people that I work with,” Putnam said. “And so for that reason, I think I'm incredibly qualified to lead this particular committee. Because I know what I don't know. And I want to know more.”
The Prinsburg City Council has rejected a Texas-style abortion ordinance proposed by an outgoing state lawmaker.The West Central Tribune reports: On a unanimous vote, council members voted to deny an ordinance proposed by State Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, to allow civil action against abortion providers. Council members Mitch Swart and Greg Bonnema offered the motion at a special meeting convened Friday afternoon. The vote came with no discussion or comments, but before the council heard the motion to deny the ordinance, Mayor Roger Ahrenholz outlined the challenges the city would likely face were it enacted. The mayor said the city had received a letter from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison advising the proposed ordinance was unconstitutional in Minnesota. The mayor also pointed out that the city’s legal counsel had not provided City Council members with any case law or legal opinion to rebut the attorney general’s position on the proposed ordinance.
Post-election hand counts of ballots that Minnesota counties are required to conduct did not uncover problems with vote-counting machines,reports MPR’s Kirsti Marohn. Counties are required by law to hand-count ballots in a few randomly chosen precincts after the election. During the hand count, election judges make sure their tallies match those recorded by vote-tabulating machines used on Election Day. After local residents and outside activists raised questions about the accuracy of vote-tabulating machines and called for more election transparency, some Minnesota counties decided to count more precincts or races than required. On Nov. 21, Crow Wing County hand-counted ballots from four precincts, double the number it’s required to. Administrative services director Deborah Erickson said about 10 people observed the three-hour process, which didn't uncover any problems.
Tell MPR News: What do you hope lawmakers accomplish this session? | 