Deadline for emailing candidate questions is Wed., March 17 at noon - send them here.

Miss the deadline? You can also submit questions at the debate Thursday, March 18.

SD-45 Republicans will host the first ONE on ONE debate between Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert. Meet the candidates informally during the first hour Meet and Greet, then get to know their positions during the Q&A session. Other candidates may be there to visit and meet with guests.

Deadline for emailing questions is Wed., March 17 at noon - send them here.

This moderated debate will give audience members a chance to ask their questions at the event.

Thursday, March 18 Armstrong High School (map), Plymouth;

6:00 - 7:00 pm Mixer;  7:00 Debate begins

A Straw Poll will be held for Governor and state offices!

Light refreshments served Fee: $10 at the door (SD45 recurring donation supporters get in free)

Support SD-45 with a recurring donation and get in free to all 2010 SD-45 events! Click here.

Thanks to all who attended our BPOU Convention March 6! Guest speakers included 5th CD candidate for U.S. House Joel Demos, Auditor candidates Pat Anderson and Randy Gilbert, Governor candidates Leslie Davis, Tom Emmer, Bill Haas, Phil Herwig, and Marty Seifert.

> For SD-45 Delegate and Alternate results, click here. Those elected will go on to attend the 3rd or 5th CD Conventions and the MNGOP State Convention.

Congratulations and a heartfelt thanks to our devoted member, Adeline Lundquist of Crystal - honored with a lifetime achievement award for her years of service! Adeline joined SD-45 as a Goldwater Republican and remains active, organizing the MN Senior Republican meet-ups every month in Richfleld. Look for her at the 5th CD and State Convention as a Delegate this year!

See more convention photos at Flickr

A candidate endorsing convention will be held at an upcoming date - to be announced. All delegates and alternates elected at Caucus Feb. 2 will be receiving a call to convention to endorse our local candidates. See 2010 Elections for a list of candidates seeking endorsement.

Important dates:

• Tue., March 9: Hennepin County Convention - South View Middle School, Edina > More
• Thu., March 18: MNGOP Governor Candidate Debate - Armstrong HS, Plymouth > More
• Sat., April 10: CD-5 Convention - DeLaSalle High School, Minneapolis > More
• Sat., April 17 CD-3 Convention - South View Middle School, Edina > More
  
• April 29-May 1: State Convention - Minneapolis Convention Center > More
• Tue., November 2: Election Day

Thanks to all who showed up Tuesday for Precinct Caucus! Many new faces and long-time activists showed and are ready to take the next step in getting involved. Two local candidates announced that they're running: Nick Petersen (New Hope) for 45 State Senate, and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Crystal) for 45-B House Representative. Both are seeking Republican endorsement. Our SD-45 BPOU Convention is coming up Saturday, March 6 at Robbinsdale Middle School. Newly elected delegates and alternates were given their calls, and the convention is open to the public.

Official Governor straw poll results:

• Marty Seifert: 109
• Tom Emmer: 106
• David Hann: 23
• Bill Haas: 7
• Leslie Davis: 2
• Phil Herwig: 1
• Write-in: 2

> Get the Statewide straw poll results at MNGOP.

For our new leaders, delegates and alternates: learn more about these positions.

Meet the candidates for Governor at our MNGOP Gubernatorial Debate Thursday, March 18 at Robbinsdale Armstrong HS!

WCCO's Pat Kessler reported how legislators bump their salaries with "per diem" expense payments in the State House - and Lyndon Carlson's explanations:

Minnesota lawmakers don't earn much from their salary, but almost all of them are taking home many thousands of dollars more in their paychecks.

Part-time lawmakers earn about $31,000 a year and haven't had a raise since 1999, but almost all of them boost their incomes through per diem payments.

What may surprise some is the fact that not all lawmakers' per diems are equal.

"Per diem reflects work load," explained Rep. Lyn Carlson (D). "With the state's budgetary problems, this has been a particularly busy period of time for those of us involved in state finances."

Lawmakers can receive per diem payments all year long, including seven days a week when in session, even if they are not physically at the Capitol. No receipts, no questions asked. Travel and lodging are considered extra expenses, covered outside of per diem.

Carlson took more per diem than any other House member, earning nearly $17,000. He said he is proud of his 100 percent attendance record, and he says he headed multiple committees dealing with Minnesota's deficit.

Rep. Carlson is "dealing with Minnesota's deficit" by adding to it with per diem expenses, but his fellow DFL Rep. Steve Simon from St. Louis Park accepts no per diem. We looked up our other two DFL legislators' earnings at the Rochester Post Bulletin's database: