Over 100 delegates assembled in Minneapolis March 19 to elect new leadership and delegates to the State Central Committee. Outgoing Chair Carleton Crawford was acknowledged several times by visiting speakers and CD5 leadership. Elected to replace Crawford is past Deputy Chair Adam Weigold, with Barry Hickethier elected new Deputy Chair. Tim Kirk was re-elected as Treasurer, and Scot Pekarek newly elected as Secretary.

Elected for Vice Chairs were Jacquelyn America, Tim Gould, Juliette Jordal, Andy Lindberg and Dave Wahlsted. Paul Carlson of SD44 was elected State Central Delegate at Large and Rick Rice of SD44 as Alternate.

Sheila Franey of SD60 was awarded Volunteer of the Year, and Nancy LaRoche of SD45 with the Dennis O'Leary Memorial Award.

Guest speakers included RNC Committee candidates Pat Anderson, Janet Beihoffer, Mary Igo, Tom Emmer, Jeff Johnson and Phil Herwig. Former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz spoke in celebration of Ronald Reagan's centennial birthday and shared memories. Tony Sutton, Dan Severson, Norann Dillon, Rich Stanek and 2010 candidate Joel Demos also addressed the delegation.

A Proclamation was passed that was submitted by Tim Utz of SD50-A, in summary, "to demand that elected Republican party members of House and Senate subject their budget proposal to campaign message of “living within their means,” reduce state spending to comply with authorized MN Constitutional limits, cut state spending below “living within their means” spending of $32 Billion, and redirect their policies and budget to reflect such will of “We The People” embodied as delegates and alternates in the MN Republican Party CD-5 Convention.”

Congratulations to our newly elected leadership, delegate, alternate and a big thanks to all of the committee members and volunteers that helped make our convention a big success!