Beltrami County Republican Convention Releases Results

The Beltrami County Republicans recently held their county convention.  One-hundred-and-twelve Beltrami County delegates and alternates registered and 111 were seated.  The party’s endorsed legislative candidates Paul Utke (Senate 2), Matt Bliss (House 5A) and Matt Grossell (House 2A) all spoke.  In addition, retiring State Representative David Hancock gave our keynote address, after which county chairman Ken Cobb led the convention delegates in giving Representative David Hancock a special tribute and recognition for his dedicated and selfless service as our state representative.  Also speaking was Steve Hinson, husband of Amanda Hinson, one of two candidates seeking Republican endorsement for US Congress in District 7.

Convention delegates elected 17 delegates and 24 alternates to represent Beltrami County at Congressional District and state conventions.  Elected as delegates for Congressional District 7 were William Batchelder, Adam Bommersbach, Anderson Carter, David Hanson, Roger Heger, Emma Hilgart, Heidi Johnson, Ashley Kosko and Luke Williams.  Elected as delegates for Congressional District 8 were Scotty Allison, Abbigail Cobb, Kenneth Cobb, Audra Kastner, Justin Kastner, Kathleen Molitor, Walter Pagel and Richard Siegert.

Our elected delegates will represent our county at the district and state conventions where Minnesota’s national delegates will be elected.  In the event of a contested National Convention lasting more than one ballot, our county’s delegates will have had a say in who wins the Republican nominee for President based on who they elect as National Delegates, as all of Minnesota’s National Delegates will be unbound after the first ballot.  Among the 17 county delegates elected today, 15 listed Cruz as their first choice, one listed Trump and one named Rubio.

Our convention also considered 14 resolutions to change our state party platform, passing 4 of them and referring those 4 on to the congressional district conventions.  The four resolutions passed:

• Whereas, vote integrity can be compromised by voters using temporary residency to register and vote in a particular precinct. And whereas, to be selected for jury duty a person must be a permanent resident of a particular county: Be it resolved that voters only register to vote and vote in the county of permanent residence.
• Be it resolved, that we urge the Minnesota Legislature to protect women by instituting basic regulations and inspections of abortion facilities which remain unregulated and uninspected in Minnesota.
• Be it resolved, that we urge the Minnesota Legislature and Governor to defund Planned Parenthood and divert those funds towards clinics offering comprehensive healthcare for women.
• Be it resolved, we support the rights of parents to the first and foremost decision maker in raising their children and guiding their children’s lives in all areas including health care and education.

County Chairman Ken Cobb said:  “It was great to see the passion and enthusiasm in evidence with today’s great attendance.  Our party is excited about our conservative candidates who will bring our common-sense message of limited government, personal freedom and growing opportunity to the voters this fall.”