In the campaign for state chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota, incumbent Jennifer Carnahan has lost the support of one of her husband's business and political supporters, Gary Steuart, of Fillmore County.
Steuart's endorsement of Mark Koran was shared by Florida refugee Sheri Auclair on Facebook Friday:
And another MNGOP Executive Committee Member, Gary Steuart of the 1st Congressional District, is disappointed by Chair Carnahan's shenanigans. He refuses to support her re-election campaign.
Following is his email sent to the CD1 Delegates/Alternates.
March 22, 2021Hello CD 1 Republicans:This is a report to you on events at our most recent MNGOP State Executive meeting.I must point out first that there had been very little discussion of the April 10 State Central Committee (SCC) meeting at prior State Executive meetings, and this would be the last meeting before the SCC meeting.State Senator Mark Koran who is challenging our current party chair Jennifer Carnahan was present. In a March 12 email to the State Executive Committee, Mark had formally proposed that we have a hybrid state central convention. Even though he was not on the agenda, it was assumed by myself and I believe by all other people at the meeting, that he wanted to present his plan.There was no mention of the SCC meeting on the agenda, but I assumed that Chair Carnahan would bring it up as part of her remarks or in recognizing Mark Koran at some point. However, when we reached the end of the agenda, Chair Carnahan looked to Deputy Chair Crawford, who motioned to adjourn.It was immediately seconded and passed by a majority. Five members voted against the motion.Senator Koran had no opportunity to present his plan. His concerns about our upcoming Zoom SCC should have been heard. He was shunted aside in a very disrespectful manner. Apparently Chair Carnahan was not open to any proposals that would challenge her control of the upcoming State Central Committee meeting.Chair Carnahan’s handling of this matter was clever, but also petty and unwise.In my judgement it is time to elect a different party chair. I am going to vote for Senator Koran.Respectfully,
Gary SteuartCD1 Executive Rep
This is a blow to the Carnahan team in the congressional district which her husband represents and a break by a generous Hagedorn political contributor and former business partner.
Last October, we reported in In 2019 Small Business Week event, Hagedorn happy to learn about one in which he was once an minority owner:
On May 7, 2019, Congressman Jim Hagedorn hosted a small business roundtable for Small Business Week. A couple of days later on Facebook, he shared the message and photo in the screenshot at the top of this post. Here's what he wrote:
Gary Steuart of Steuart Laboratories, Mabel -Always happy to learn more about the amazing small businesses of southern Minnesota like Gary’s organic manufacturing business from Mabel!Based on what the men are wearing, the photo is from the day of the roundtable (see photo here).
We are deeply surprised that the congressman could learn much more about "Gary’s organic manufacturing business from Mabel!" since according to Hagedorn's 2013 financial disclosure statement, (page 4), Hagedorn was a "retail propriator [sic], minority owner" of Steuart Laboratories.
Moreover, on page 5 of the disclosure statement, Hagedorn noted an agreement with Steuart Laboratories: "Resigned Position; compensation and future payments conditional upon transfer and sale of internet site assets." . . .
But there's more! Mr. Gary Steuart contributed quite a bit of cash to Representative Hagedorn's campaigns over the years before. Between 2009 and 2018, Steuart made 29 contributions to the Friends of Hagedorn campaign committee, according to the campaign finance database at the Federal Elections Commission. For us, that added up to $11,650. For the 2018 DCCC online Research Report staffers, the total came to $9,900.00, but the research was concluded by March 2018.
There's more in the database for this cycle: 15 contributions for a total of $4,100.
And there's more! Steuart is the chair of the Fillmore County Republicans.
The DCCC's online research book documents other connections.
Our Republican sources tell us that Carnahan is likely to be re-elected, but such defections don't seem to build Republican unity.
Related posts:
- MN Reformer: #mnleg oversight commission stops work as next chair campaigns to lead #mngop
- Is the contest for Republican Party of Minnesota state chair a cheesy Law and Order fanzine?
- Republican Party of MN reports self-employed James, Hagedorn lives in St. Louis Park
- RPM, Friends of Hagedorn confuse state & federal campaign finance reports in answering PB question about Hagedorn's residence
Photo: Hagedorn in a 2016 parade in front of his old business partner's store. Via DCCC's online research book.
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