The Mower County Republicans held their county convention Saturday morning, electing more that 30 delegates and alternates to attend the district and state conventions.

The convention brought about 66 delegates, 16 alternates together along with other area Republican leaders to hear from candidates and discuss party issues. Brian Thiel, treasurer of the Mower County Republicans, said the large meeting room of the Austin Public Library was filled with people who came to roll up their sleeves and were ready to get to work.

A total of 11 delegates and 22 alternates were elected to attend the Congressional District 1 convention April 16 and 17 in Mankato and the state convention April 29-May 1.

“Politics is a grassroots business in America. That’s what it’s supposed to be,” Thiel said. “This is one of the steps in that.”

A number of candidates, or representatives for candidates, spoke to the delegates. LeRoy resident Jennifer Gumbel announced Wednesday that she is running for the District 27B seat, opposing Rep. Jeanne Poppe.

“I’m running because I think our government, especially our state government, has lost its way,” Gumbel said.

Gumbel questioned how democratic leaders are addressing the state’s budget crisis. Rather than raising taxes, she said leaders will need to decide what services to cut. Because of the budget crisis, she said legislators will need to make cuts by separating needs from wants.

“We need people willing to make cuts; it’s not just going to come from tax increases,” she said.

Gumbel, a lawyer, is the first Republican to announce she’s running for the District 27B seat. She said she’s excited to represent the needs of rural communities.

“I’m happy and excited to seek the republican nomination,” she added.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, District 28B, spoke representing gubernatorial hopeful Tom Emmer. Thiel spoke about gubernatorial hopeful Marty Seifert.

The delegates also voted on five platform issues to be discussed at the Republican Party state convention. One resolution that passed is a proposal for fiscal responsibility that would prioritize needs — like schools and roads — over wants — like the Mayo Civic Center Expansion in Rochester. This resolution passed and will be discussed at the state convention.

Mower County Republican delegates and alternates elected

for Congressional District 1 Convention

April 16-17 at Mankato

Delegates: Darrel Bahn, Don Barnes, Dave Forman, Leslie Frank, Kathy Green, Clarence Klenke, Charles Mills, Dennis Schminke, Vicki Schminke, Brian Thiel, Reuben Unseth

Alternates: LaVonne Aase, Lewis Aase, Samantha Barthels, Jason Baskin, J Grant Bentley, Rachelle Boone, Dale Christiansen, James Decker, Melvin Eichstadt, Kathy Fielding, Dan Franklin, Christine Green, Ronald Grosland, Mary Hanson, Joey Miller, Anita Mittelsted, Charles Moline, Ruth Neil, Ray Ondov, Jared Parks, Barry Rush, Elizabeth Unseth

Mower County delegates & Alternates Elected

for Minnesota State Convention

April 29 – May 1

Delegates: Darrel Bahn, Don Barnes, Kathy Green, Jennifer Gumbel, Clarence Klenke, Charles Mills, Charles Moline, Dennis Schminke, Vicki Schminke, Brian Thiel, Reuben Unseth

Alternates: LaVonne Aase, Lewis Aase, Jason Baskin, Gene Block, Rachelle Boone, Darrell Clark, James Decker, Kathy Fielding, Leslie Frank, Dan Franklin, Arnie Green, Christine Green, Ronald Grosland, Mary Hanson, Joey Miller, Anita Mittelsted, Ruth Neil, Jared Parks, Wayne Ulrich, Elizabeth Unseth, John Wilcox