Cook County residents Jeff Dillehay and Garry Gamble attended the Minnesota Republican Party Convention in St. Cloud on May 18 – 19. Gamble had the opportunity to talk to 8th Congressional District Congressman Chip Cravaack. At the Convention, Economics Teacher and Minnesota State Representative Kurt Bills received Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate—and an endorsement from Congressman Cravaack
The Ron Paul revolution completed its sweep over the Minnesota Republican Party convention held at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, MN May 18–19. Among the 175 delegates in attendance, two were Cook County residents, Jeff Dillehay and Garry Gamble.
On Friday, State Representative Kurt Bills, who was endorsed by Paul, won a persuasive second ballot endorsement to be the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Bills will run against Democratic- Farmer-Labor Party incumbent Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Kurt Bills, a public school teacher, continues to teach economics at Rosemount High School each morning before traveling to the State Capitol. Over the past 15 years, he has taught advanced courses in micro and macroeconomics and American government and politics.
“What America needs is a good dose of Econ 101, and I’m going to bring that to Washington,” Bills announced to an enthusiastic roar of approval.
Saturday, delegates warmly welcomed 8th Congressional District Congressman Chip Cravaack. Cravaack asked delegates, “Will you do me a favor? Send Kurt Bills to Washington.”
Saturday’s agenda also included election of 13 national delegates. Again, the Paul supporters demonstrated they were extremely organized and very serious about winning those spots. They proceeded to elect the first 12 national delegates on the first ballot. Grassroots Paul supporter Don Huizenga, tied with Michele Bachmann for the last slot. Huizenga, received a standing ovation when he stood at the podium and handed over the 13th spot to the congresswoman “out of respect for the work she’s done.”
The results mean 32 of Minnesota’s 40 national delegates to the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida, this August will be committed to Paul.
It was evident not all Minnesota Republicans welcomed the ascendance of Paul’s libertarian-leaning movement. As tension mounted between the Paul newcomers and the longtime activists they displaced, Republican National Committeeman Jeff Johnson stepped to the microphone to address that issue headon. He told the delegates to acknowledge their disagreements.
Most delegates have areas of agreement with Paul, especially on reducing federal spending and the role of government.
The influence of Paul supporters was also evident in many of the party platform resolutions adopted at the convention, such as to abolish the federal reserve; to reject Internet anti-piracy laws because they violate the online privacy of citizens; to support a conscience clause for health care workers, exempting them from performing procedures or dispensing medications that are contrary to their conscience; to repeal any law which allows American citizens to be arrested and indefinitely detained without trial; and to support the Rule of Law in Minnesota as solely based on the United States and Minnesota Constitutions, not on international or Sharia law.
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