Minnesota GOP elects newcomer Jennifer Carnahan as state chair

ST. CLOUD – Minnesota Republicans elected relative newcomer Jennifer Carnahan to be their new chair in a surprise, fourth-ballot victory Saturday.

Carnahan attended her first Republican caucus in 2016, serving later that year as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

The 40-year old Carnahan made an explicit appeal to about 340 delegates gathered in St. Cloud, drawing on her ability to offer a new face to Minnesotans with an inspiring biography that could reshape perceptions of Republicans statewide.

"The Republican Party is the party of opportunity. Even people who come from humble roots can achieve great things in our party," she said. "How does that not inspire more people to get involved?" she asked, referring to her newcomer status.

After her victory, Republican well-wishers lined up to take photos with her.

Carnahan, who was adopted from South Korea, said her background will insulate Republicans from DFL charges that the GOP is not inclusive.

The DFL is "going to have a really hard time calling us the party of racists and sexists. Look at who our party base just elected," she said in a news conference after her victory.

Despite her newcomer status, Carnahan ran a sophisticated, strategic campaign that enlisted the aid of Gregg Peppin, a seasoned GOP operative and husband of House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers. Carnahan was first in the race and said she put thousands of miles on her odometer amassing delegate support. She came in third in the first round of balloting before her eventual victory.

Carnahan arrives with deep experience in corporate America at companies like McDonald's, General Mills and Ecolab, where she developed brands. She now owns her own retail business in the Brainerd Lakes region.

"My strength is my business background, and I view the party as a business organization," she said.

Carnahan takes over 18 months before an important election year featuring contests for governor, U.S. Senate and as many as five competitive U.S. House races.

Republicans have control of the state Senate through 2020. In the House, the GOP's hefty majority will be tough for the DFL to overturn in one cycle. A GOP victory in the governor's race could hand the party control over all of state government for the first time since 1970.

Even as GOP optimists look toward 2018, Carnahan takes over a party with a staggering debt. After spending years climbing out of a deep hole, the party still owes more than $900,000.

In recent years, outside groups, candidates and legislative caucuses — rather than the party — performed much of the key fundraising, research, communications and field organizing that helped deliver those victories.

Carnahan said fundraising will be a primary goal.

"My number one goal on day one, which will be tomorrow, is to start getting out there and raising money, because we need to build a party that is financially healthy," she said.

Carnahan defeated more well known candidates including Deputy Chairman Chris Fields, former Sen. David Hann and National Committeeman Rick Rice.

Fields, who won the first two rounds of voting, was a polarizing candidate who ultimately struggled to win new votes after early rounds.

Carnahan's only electoral experience was a long-shot unsuccessful race for state Senate in a heavily blue district in Minneapolis, where she lives.

Carnahan said her outsider status would allow her to navigate the fissures in the state GOP.

"When people ask, 'What faction are you part of?' I say, I'm just a Republican," she said. "I love all Republicans, and I want to do everything I can to champion our values and get all Republicans elected."

J. Patrick Coolican • 651-925-5042