In the last 30 years, there have been two Republican governors elected to consecutive terms in our state, Governors Arne Carlson (IR) 1990 and1994 and Tim Pawlenty (R) 2002 and 2006. It is clear; all chief executives have their own leadership styles, ideologies and power bases. Traditionally, the governor is the titular head of their respective political party, but not in the case of Carlson. The relationships between these governors and there respective political party are distinctively different. These two men took divergent paths to power and their administrations directly reflect their routes.

Republican House Caucus members chose fourth term, suburbanite Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-32B, Maple Grove) to lead them forward from now through the 2010 legislative session. Zellers a former House Staffer won election in February 03, 2003 during a Special election to fill the seat vacated by Rich Stanek upon his selection to head the Department of Public Safety.

In politics when you are declared as the front runner many things come to roost at your doorstep. The Taxpayers League of Minnesota did a straw poll at the State Central Committee meeting and former Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-21A, Marshall) lead the field with slightly better than 1/3 of those voting. Since that time there has been a large amount of chatter on Republicans blogs about this and that.

Newly elected Republican Party Chair Tony Sutton is planning on a Straw poll during the off-year Republican convention. We understand it is set to take place on September 19th. At that time the field is expected to be set heading into the 2010 election year. The early expectations are the field will winnow and three likely candidates will emerge. At this point former Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-21A, Marshall) and former State Auditor Pat Anderson Gallwas are expected to be in the lead pack along with another candidate, which shall be named later. Meaning since this is so early in the process someone else may gain some steam, but it is too early to tell. Seifert because he has a fairly broad network and Gallwas because she has a strong fundraising network.

Legislators, especially Republican Senators, are none too happy with the Taxpayers League of Minnesota recent rankings. The scoring of votes this last legislative session did not account for the ability to support spending bills and then voting against the tax bill. In the House Republicans think the League got it wrong when members voted for Federal conformity, which would have reduced state tax burdens rather than raise them as is often the case.

With the State Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in the matter of Coleman v. Franken on June 1, we along with others will be watching with great anticipation for the final ruling. Our contacts into Washington, D.C. have well assured us that once the decision is reached and if Al Franken (D) is the declared winner he will be seated in the U.S. Senate shortly there after. In fact, Franken is expected to get on a plane soon after the ruling is announced.

Once the State Supreme Court weighs in with their opinion on the Coleman v. Franken election contest all eyes will turn to Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) to watch what he does. If after the State Supreme Court’s decision Pawlenty does not sign certificate for Franken we believe—as we did with his unwillingness to negotiate with the DFL for revenue enhancement in order to solve the state’s budget crisis—he is positioning for national run.

If Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) is looking into a crystal ball trying to discern his political future he is likely looking to 2012 and maybe even 2014. As we have stated numerous times we believe Pawlenty will not seek reelection in 2010. He has yet to win by a majority and by solving another large state deficit without raising taxes his narrative as a “Red” governor from a “Blue” state who did not raise taxes to address a budget shortfall on three separate occasions is not intact now it never will be.

We spoke with two of the candidates for Republican Party Chair Tony Sutton and Dave Thompson. We discussed their bids for the chairmanship.