New Contender for MNGOP Chair Focuses on Grassroots, States’ Rights

Posted by Tiana Wells on Jan 29, 2013 in Latest Updates, Press Releases | 0 comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Lonsdale, Minn. (January 30, 2013) – Minnesota’s Republican Party may have a new favorite to lead its state operations. Bill Paulsen, a delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention and state representative to its controversial Rules Committee, announced his intentions to run for state party chairman today via social media. Paulsen offers broad appeal to the grassroots activists within the party.

Said Paulsen:

I come to you as a strong advocate for states’ rights and grassroots activism. As the party of limited government, I believe the strength of the GOP is our grassroots organization. The thousands of volunteer activists across Minnesota will determine the future success of our party. My goal as the next state chair will be to empower these activists and equip them with the resources they need to win elections.

As an elected representative to the RNC Rules Committee, I fought against the power grab that changed the rules that govern the presidential nominating process. These new rules stifle the voice of the grassroots — the foundation of our party — and take away our ability to decide how our state party should operate.

As your state chair, I will continue to work tirelessly to oppose these unacceptable rules — both within the state of Minnesota and at the national level. I will champion the grassroots by defending our caucus system and developing outreach initiatives to grow our voter base. I will face our state party’s finances head-on and restore fiscal responsibility to the MNGOP. And I will deliver a positive and consistent conservative message that the voters of our state can embrace. As your state chair, I will work to ensure that the Republican Party of Minnesota is known by what values we stand for, not only what we are against.

Paulsen, of Lonsdale, Minn., is a senior staff engineer at Seagate Technology. On his newly-launched website, he outlines his four-point plan “The Paulsen Plan” that focuses on grassroots activism, states’ rights, finances, and strategic rebranding of the party. More can be seen at www.billpaulsenforchair.com

Current Minnesota GOP Chairman Pat Shortridge has announced his plans to step down from the position when his term ends in April 2013. The new MNGOP chair will be elected during the Republican State Central Committee Convention in April.

Contact:

Tiana Wells, Campaign Manager
tianalwells@yahoo.com
324 Archibald Lane
Dundas, MN 55019
507-581-0737

Protecting Your Right to Vote for Judges

Posted by billp on Feb 21, 2013 in Latest Updates | 0 comments

We must protect and improve judicial elections in Minnesota. Powerful voices in the legislature want to end contested judicial elections and replace them with so-called “retention” elections. This is where judges are appointed by a group of political insiders and you as a voter can only decide whether to keep the appointed judge.

Retention elections are not acceptable. Unlike what some third world countries and some current MN politicians might think, if there isn’t an alternative, it isn’t an election. Moreover, if you vote to remove a judge from office, the same panel that effectively chose the judge will control who is appointed as the replacement.

If you elect me as your next state party chair I will be a voice opposing efforts to end contested judicial elections and will work to bring us together and empower the grass roots activists to endorse and elect constitutional judges.

.

Bill’s Plan to Improve Judicial Endorsements

1.     Strengthen our Judicial Districts

In accordance with the MNGOP constitution, our party has established party units for judicial districts to assist in campaigns for district court judges.  We must encourage delegates to participate in the district committees and participate in their governance through free and fair officer elections.

2.     Candidate Recruitment

We cannot ignore this branch of government and should actively look for and support constitutional judges that would uphold our rights and liberties, and not legislate from the bench.  Working with our elected judicial district officers, I will support and encourage candidates to run for judicial office at the district court level and ensure we recruit candidates for statewide judicial office for consideration for endorsement by the state convention.

3.      Campaign Training

We must develop and distribute training material for judicial activists and train them in areas like GOTV, fundraising, and general campaign strategy.

4.      Communication Strategy   

We must include our endorsed judicial candidates in the updates communicated by the state party to the grassroots and highlight their races in press releases as appropriate.

Working Together to Improve Our Judicial Districts

I have been working with local grassroots activists to ensure we have a functioning organization in the First Judicial District. And I believe the MNGOP should be involved in supporting these important local efforts.

However, when elected officials abuse their power and violate the constitution activists have the right and responsibility to elect new leadership. The same is true for BPOU and judicial districts. Recently there have been problems in the First Judicial District. If the matter cannot be worked out locally, then the State Central Committee must get involved to resolve the situation.

My hope is that the SCC will hear both sides of this issue and come to a fair and reasonable solution at their next meeting so that we can unite and come together to fight Democrats and liberal justices instead of each other.