Johnson defeats Emmer for RNC seat

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson wins seat on the Republican National Committee.

April 16, 2011 at 7:56PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Johnson
Johnson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Republican activists rejected former gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer and instead tapped Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson for a seat on the Republican National Committee. "I was a little surprised, but I felt good going in," Johnson said moments after the vote Saturday. "I've been working hard for three months."

The vote stunned many in the room who assumed Emmer would easily win the seat. Supporters said the job needed someone who could dig in and work behind the scenes.

Emmer announced he was running for the post soon after narrowly losing to DFL Gov. Mark Dayton.

Former State Auditor Pat Anderson also won a seat on the GOP national committee.

"I am thankful to the delegates for this opportunity to serve as National Committeewoman for Minnesota to the RNC," she said in a statement. "This is a critical moment and it is a chance to prove Minnesota's importance to the RNC in the coming elections."

about the writer

about the writer

Baird Helgeson

Deputy editor

Baird Helgeson is deputy local editor at the Star Tribune. He helps supervise coverage of local news. Before becoming an editor, he was an award-winning reporter who covered state government and politics. He has worked for news organizations in Minnesota, Florida and North Dakota.

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