News Release

News Release: "Republican Reunion" Event to be held in Southwest Minneapolis

Contact: Robert S. Carney Jr., bob@RepublicanContract.com

(612) 824-4479 News groups: Daily; Law/Politics, College, Neighborhood, Capitol

For immediate release

No New Texas!

"Republican Reunion" event to be held in Southwest Minneapolis

Pawlenty faces moderate challenge in Republican Primary

Minneapolis, MN, June 23, 2006 – On Saturday, July 8th, at 12:00 Noon, a "Republican Reunion" event will be held in Southwest Minneapolis, at the picnic table area near the Lake Harriet Bandshell. The event is free and open to the public. Former Republicans, discouraged Republicans, and republican Republicans are especially welcome.

"In recent years, the Republican party has become 'un-Republican' in many ways," said Bob Carney Jr., who is organizing and promoting the event. "It's time for Republican moderates to meet, and see what we can do to change the direction of the party, especially at the state level," said Carney.

Moderate candidates for Governor and Legislature are being recruited

Carney conducted a news conference on Monday, June 19th, in the Rotunda at the State Capitol, (see photo, below) to announce a moderate Republican challenge to Governor Tim Pawlenty in this September's Republican primary. The conference was attended by MPR and the Star Tribune. Carney is promoting both a Republican Governor's Contract with Voters, and a Republican State Legislator's Contract with Voters. Carney operates the www.RepublicanContract.com web site, and is producing a documentary about the two contracts.

Carney is also recruiting moderate candidates to run for the Legislature, and against Governor Pawlenty, if he does not agree to the contract. If no agreement is reached, and if no other candidate emerges, Carney will run. "However, I would prefer to run for the State House in District 60B," Carney said. The district is in southwest Minneapolis, and includes most of Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. Frank Hornstein is the current state Representative.

Pawlenty campaign responds

Governor Pawlenty has been told about the contract both in an April 19th open letter, and by Carney personally, on the floor of the 5th Congressional District Republican Convention.

Carney received a letter June 14th from Michael Krueger, Governor Pawlenty's campaign manager. The letter stated in part: "Our office has received your request for the Governor to sign your "A Minnesota Republican Governor's Contract with voters. However, the Governor has decided to not sign any pledges for interest groups or individuals at this time."

"Note the phrase, '...at this time,'" Carney said. "This indicates to me there is still an opportunity to avoid a Republican primary," Carney said. Carney plans to contact the Pawlenty campaign, seeking to interview the Governor about the Republican Governor's Contract with Voters. "I'm also open to any alternative commitment from the Governor to the people of Minnesota to use the powers of the Governor's office with more restraint, and to do more to help the Legislature deliberate and function more effectively," Carney added.

Purpose of the "Republican Reunion"

The "Republican Reunion" event is intended to give moderate Republicans a chance to rally, and express their collective intent to re-energize the party with new ideas and a new direction. There are two goals:

1) Organize support for insisting on either a commitment from Governor Pawlenty for a more moderate direction in a second term, or for a moderate candidate to oppose Pawlenty in the Republican primary.

2) Recruit moderate Republican candidates to run for the State Legislature in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

"Currently, there are no Republican State Legislators from either Minneapolis or Saint Paul," Carney noted. "This kind of geographic division in Minnesota is very unhealthy for the state," Carney opined.

In addition to anticipated mingling and socializing on what is hoped will be a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the "Republican Reunion" attendees will be asked to vote on whether to have a second meeting a few days before the July 18th filing deadline for state primary elections. "The plan will be to either have an acceptable agreement from Governor Pawlenty by that time, or to nominate someone to oppose him in the primary," Carney said.

<end>

photo from June 19th news conference