Uphold 2nd Amendment Rights
Accountability in Government and Personal Lives
School Transparency
No More Critical Race Theory
No More Social and Emotional Learning
Less Government, More Transparency
Less Taxes
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From the Desk of the Chairwoman Dawn Appel Wabasha County GOP August 11, 2025
Dear Wabasha County Republicans,
The year 2025 is slipping by as Fall slowly takes the summer breath away from our relaxing evenings.
I hope that everyone has had a blessed year so far, and that those who have suffered a life changing event this year, have felt the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ embrace them, and the supporting prayers of their fellow Republicans.
We have a lot going on in our Wabasha County Republican agenda over the remainder of the year into the Spring of 2026. If you haven't been to a BPOU meeting recently and would like to get involved again, please consider "Today is the Day"! We understand that you are busy and that personal commitments take priority, but every voice, every idea, every ounce of energy is needed from every Republican. The critical focus for Minnesotan Republicans needs to be on the removal of Tim Walz from the Governor Seat. We need as much muscle as possible to move him OUT! This requires solid commitment, energy and great ideas!
Please join us! Great minds together, create great things!
Dawn Appel
Wabasha County Republican Chair
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From the Desk of Alex Plechash Chairman MNGOP August, 2025
August 23, 2025
Dear Friends,
What a week it has been for the Minnesota GOP as we kicked off the Great Minnesota Get-Together!
In just the first two days, thousands of patriots have stopped by our booth — connecting with one another, meeting elected officials and party leaders, and picking up some of our great GOP merchandise. A big shout-out to Liz Collin from Alpha News, Sen. Mark Koran, Rep. Danny Nadeau, and Rep. Kristin Robbins for stopping by. If I missed anyone, my apologies — it’s been a busy and exciting start!
This week I also attended the RNC Summer Meeting, where I joined party leaders from across the country to share ideas and bring back new, innovative strategies that will help us win elections here in Minnesota. It was an exciting meeting since we elected a new RNC Chairman - Joe Gruters, who was the Florida GOP Chairman and RNC Treasurer. Michael Whatley stepped down because he is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Thom Tillis in North Carolina. We also elected a new RNC Treasurer, RNC National Committeewoman Jennifer Saul Rich from New York, to fill the position vacated by Joe Gruters.
And speaking of elections — we are in the fight right now. There are three critical special elections underway, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Control of the legislature is at stake. Winning these races means we can finally put a stop to the DFL’s radical agenda and restore common sense in Minnesota government.
We are deploying staff and have already made thousands of voter contacts in these districts. But we cannot do it without you.
• Volunteer: If you can give even a couple of hours, email us at info@mngop.com or click Volunteer - Republican Party of Minnesota.
• Donate: Help fund our field operation by chipping in today — Minnesota GOP | Donate
This is our moment to unify against the DFL’s failures and fight for the issues that matter most: safer communities, ending fraud and corruption, better schools, and a government that works for the people.
Let’s keep the momentum going at the State Fair and in these critical races. Together, we can win — and we will.
August17, 2025
Dear Friends,
The past few weeks in Minnesota politics have underscored a hard truth: when one party holds power for too long, corruption, arrogance, and lawlessness inevitably follow. The DFL has controlled all levers of government in St. Paul, and the results speak for themselves.
We’ve seen a sitting state senator convicted of a felony and refusing to step aside until it served her political interests. Another senator, arrested for a second DWI, raises questions about accountability and double standards. Add to that repeated ethical concerns surrounding DFL leadership in the Senate, and you begin to see a troubling pattern. This is not isolated behavior—it is what happens when politicians believe they are untouchable.
At the same time, Minnesotans are being robbed blind by systemic fraud. The Feeding Our Future scandal exposed hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars stolen on the Walz administration’s watch. More recently, DHS programs riddled with fraud had to be shut down overnight. Governor Walz and his allies looked the other way until federal prosecutors forced their hand.
This is not leadership. It is neglect. And it erodes the public’s trust in government.
Minnesota deserves better. We want leaders who uphold the law, who put kids before politics, and who foster an economy where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive again.
And it starts today in Senate District 47, where Dwight Dorau is running to replace convicted felon Nicole Mitchell. We have a real chance to win this seat and take control of the Minnesota Senate. And if Ruth Bittner can win the open House seat in 34B, Republicans will take control of the House. These are not just campaigns—they are turning points.
My challenge to every Republican reading this: get to work. We have the tools for you to make voter contacts from your home. If you are able, join the hundreds of other GOP supporters knocking doors, dropping literature, and showing up in your community. Complaining from the sidelines is no longer an option for our party.
The contrast is clear: the DFL’s corruption and radical agenda have left Minnesotans disillusioned and frustrated. Our mission is to give them something better—real solutions, honest leadership, and a government they can trust again.
This is our moment. Let’s seize it.
August 16,2025
Corruption, Crime, and Cover-Ups — The DFL’s Legacy in Minnesota
ST. PAUL, MN — “Here we go again — another DFL lawmaker in legal trouble. Sen. Tou Xiong has been arrested on suspicion of a second DWI since 2022. The pressing question: Will the DFL protect him just as they protected convicted felon Nicole Mitchell?
Sen. Mitchell was arrested for felony burglary, yet Senate Democrats refused to force her out — keeping her in office for months to preserve their one-vote majority and push a radical agenda. That same agenda enabled massive corruption, including Feeding Our Future fraud, over $1 billion in Medicaid abuse, skyrocketing taxes, and collapsing schools.
But the corruption doesn’t stop there. Earlier this year, Senate President Bobby Joe Champion stepped down from the ethics committee amid an ethics complaint alleging he pushed public money to a nonprofit headed by his legal client — an obvious conflict of interest. Despite this, the DFL largely brushed aside concerns.
Meanwhile, Sen. Omar Fateh was forced to return $11,000 in campaign donations after receiving funds from individuals tied to Feeding Our Future — a scandal that defrauded taxpayers during the pandemic. He defended the nonprofit for months before finally reversing course.
Minnesotans deserve leaders who uphold the law — not repeat offenders, ethically compromised lawmakers, and fraud enablers shielded by their party for political gain. The DFL must answer — will they force Sen. Xiong to step down, or will they once again put politics over principle?”
August 9, 2025
Dear Friends,
Another week, another disaster from Tim Walz and the radical DFL.
This time, it’s not just about wasted tax dollars or fraud — it’s about our kids.
The Minnesota Department of Education just admitted what parents and teachers have been saying for years: half of Minnesota’s students can’t read at grade level. Math and science scores are just as bad. Minnesota is no longer a leader in education — we’re trailing behind states like Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
And here’s the truth — this didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Walz and his DFL-DSA allies abandoned basics like reading, math, and science, and instead pushed:
• Radical gender ideology in elementary schools
• Boys in girls’ sports
• Drag queen events for children in public libraries
While they were busy checking boxes for the teachers’ union and the far left, an entire generation of Minnesota kids was left behind.
The consequences are real and devastating:
• Kids who can’t read proficiently by 3rd grade are 4x more likely to drop out of high school.
• 2/3 of kids who can’t read by the end of 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare.
• 70% of inmates read below a 4th-grade level.
That’s the DFL’s education legacy.
Republicans will reverse this decline by restoring common-sense education, focusing on core skills, and learning from states that have turned their results around. However, we can’t fix this until we regain control of the Legislature.
We have a chance right now — three special elections that could flip the House and force a tie in the Senate. That would stop Walz’s radical agenda in its tracks.
Our candidates need 30 people to donate $50 right now to unlock the state campaign subsidy. That money could make the difference between winning and losing these races. I’ve given to all three today — will you join me?
Let’s win these races, stop the radical left, and get Minnesota back to being a leader in education and opportunity.
Dwight Dorau
Senate District 47
Ruth Bittner
House District 34B
Mike Holmstrom
Senate District 29
For Minnesota,
Alex Plechash
Chairman, Republican Party of Minnesota
Stay in the Know
From The Desk of Donna Bergstrom Deputy Chairwoman MNGOP July 25, 2025
Dear Friends,
As we race through summer, the Minnesota GOP is building momentum across the state—with new field staff, bold leadership, and boots on the ground. From exposing DFL failures to welcoming new volunteers, we are expanding our reach and preparing for victory in 2025 and beyond.
Election Integrity & Fraud: DFL Must Answer
The DFL’s failures on election integrity are stacking up.
Last week, House Republicans demanded answers from Secretary of State Steve Simon after he refused a lawful DOJ request for access to Minnesota’s voter rolls—a request required under federal law for verification.
“Minnesotans expect transparency and accountability from our election officials,” said Rep. Duane Quam. “Refusing to cooperate with the Civil Rights Division’s review calls the Secretary’s commitment to those principles into question.”
Even worse? Massive, unchecked fraud continues in our state programs.
In a powerful new report, Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson put it bluntly:
“The level of fraud in Minnesota is astonishing. It is brazen. And it is deeply woven into the fabric of our state programs. There are little to no internal controls.”
Read the full Star Tribune article here →
This is why Republicans are demanding audits, accountability, and action. Minnesota taxpayers—and vulnerable citizens—deserve better.
Be Part of the Action at the MN State Fair!
We still need volunteers for the MN GOP State Fair Booth—help us greet voters, share materials, and make a bold impression this year.
Sign Up Here to Volunteer
Email statefair@mngop.com
The State Fair runs from
August 21 - September 1.
The MNGOP booth is open from
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Volunteer shifts run from:
8 am -12 pm
12 pm - 4 pm
4 pm - 8 pm
August 12, 2025
Exposed: Voter Roll Cover-up &
Rampant Fraud
“Refusing to cooperate … raises legitimate concerns.” —Rep. Duane Quam
House Republicans have urged Secretary of State Steve Simon to comply with a lawful DOJ request for voter registration data—required under HAVA and essential for election oversight.
Meanwhile, Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson issued this stinging assessment of program fraud:
“The level of fraud in Minnesota is astonishing. It is brazen. And it is deeply woven into the fabric of our state programs. There are little to no internal controls.”
Department of Justice
Earlier reports show the U.S. Attorney secured over 50 convictions in the Feeding Our Future case, including Hibo Salah Daar, who was arrested at MSP Airport while allegedly trying to flee to Dubai.
Minnesota Reformer+14Department of Justice+14Eden Prairie Local News+14
DFL still refuses meaningful reforms. This culture of corruption must end!
This week we’re growing our base, exposing the DFL’s failures, and powering up for victory. Your energy is the backbone of our success.
Let’s stay focused. Let’s stay bold. Let’s GORV—and lead Minnesota forward.
Thank you,
Donna Bergstrom
Deputy Chair, MNGOP
(O)651-222-0022
(C)202-236-2692
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From the Desk of Pam Altendorf State Representative 20A August 25, 2025
WHAT'S NEW?
The Minnesota State Fair is running now through Labor Day and always has been a favorite summer destination for the Altendorf family
I hope you have a chance to get there this year.
LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS
When I submitted this column to the newspaper on Tuesday, I referenced that no doubt more frauds were in store for the State of Minnesota. Little did I know that the next fraud exposure would be less than 24 hours later. The Minnesota trend continues as KARE 11 did an investigation and dead people are now being billed for state service. You can’t make this up! Learn more by clicking here.
As for the rest of our state’s fraud nonsense, please see my column below:
GUEST COLUMN
MINNESOTA – LAND OF 10,000 FRAUDS?
It was only a few years ago when Republicans would discuss fraudulent activity within state government that Democrats would laugh at us. “Fairy dust” is what one called it, basically suggesting that anyone making this statement was living in a land of make-believe.
Today, Minnesotans have almost become numb to fraud reports. Because they happen so often, they’re not even surprised by the news anymore. Truly, it’s not uncommon to hear about a new scam once a month.
Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program, once touted as a lifeline for vulnerable residents, has become the latest cautionary tale of government failure and unchecked fraud. It began in 2020 to help people with disabilities and mental health challenges find stable housing. Initially projected to cost $2.6 million a year, program costs exploded to more than $100 million four years later. That kind of runaway growth should have immediately triggered scrutiny. Instead, it flew under the radar—at least within the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
There were plenty of red flags. A single office building in St. Paul somehow became the home of 22 different housing providers, many of whom are now under federal investigation.
When a program grows this fast and flies this far off course, the conclusion is unavoidable: meaningful oversight was absent from day one. This is especially true when you realize none of this fraud would have come to light if not for the work of investigative reporters and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As a result, the Walz administration recently shut down the program entirely.
The worst example of fraud in our state is the Feeding Our Future scandal, which just saw its 50th criminal conviction. It is the largest scam in our nation’s history at more than $250 million stolen.
Unfortunately, there are many more examples that have occurred on Governor Walz’s watch:
Child care/CCAP: $150 million
NUWAY (addiction outpatient services): $58 million
Frontline workers: $45 million
Provider over payments: $40 million
Evergreen Recovery: $30 million
Sober homes: $28 million
Medicaid: $50 million
Unemployment benefits: nearly $9 million
Minnesota autism centers: nearly $2 million
To date, roughly $650 million in fraudulent activity has been brought to light. But U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson recently said he believes the scope of fraud in Minnesota government programs could exceed more than $1 billion.
This is why we pushed for legislation last session creating an independent Office of Inspector General that could investigate fraud on its own and refer cases for criminal prosecution when needed. It would be its own entity and not under Governor Walz’s or any future governor’s control in any way.
The Minnesota Senate passed similar legislation with near unanimous support this session, yet House Democrats refused to allow a vote on it.
Which begs the question: why?
Fraud is literally running rampant in Minnesota. No other state has these problems. No one within any of these government agencies is ever held accountable, and it often feels like no one is even attempting to stop it. And yet, when it came time to enact meaningful change to prevent future taxpayer theft, House Democrats stood in the way.
What do you think? Is state government fraud much ado about nothing, clear signs of larger mafia-like organized crime activity happening throughout Minnesota state government, or somewhere in between?
To me, at some point we must recognize that continued fraud activity in our state is not a coincidence. We owe it to taxpayers to end this abuse of their tax dollars. It is a serious problem that demands a serious solution, and not just another shrug of the shoulders when Minnesota learns of continued (and apparently, inevitable) fraudulent activities in the months ahead.
WABASHA COUNTY FAIR FUN
Earlier this month, the Wabasha County Fair Board invited some of us to participate in the 1st ever “celebrity” pig show. We were each trained by knowledgeable 4H'ers on best practices of how to show our pigs to the audience.
I joined Wabasha City Administrator Caroline Gregerson, local radio personality (and family friend) Logan Breuer and others for the event. Congratulations to Caroline who won (I think she stayed up the night before watching YouTube videos which gave her a real advantage)!
As school is right around the corner, I hope you all enjoy these last days of summer.
God bless!
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER - YOUTUBE - RUMBLE
You can help Minnesota by TALKING to others and SHARING conservative messages on your social media! Follow me on Twitter, Youtube, and Rumble.
PLEASE CONTACT ME
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. I am here to serve you!
2591 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.8635
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Understand What It Means to be a Conservative Republican
If You Remember One Thing: While Democrats fought to raise taxes, increase spending, and make life more expensive and difficult for Minnesotans, House Republicans made our priorities clear: making our state safer and more affordable, returning common-sense leadership to St. Paul.
Look Back at the Democrat Trifecta:
•
Turned an $18 billion surplus into a $6 billion deficit.
•
Raised taxes by $10 billion.
•
Made our communities less safe with soft-on-crime policies.
•
Piled on mandates hurting farmers, small businesses, and families.
•
Pushed Critical Race Theory into our classrooms instead of focusing on reading and math.
•
Handed taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants.
•
Passed the most extreme abortion policy in America.
•
Attacked our 2nd Amendment rights and undermined religious freedom.
During Republicans 67-66 Majority:
For a few weeks this session, Minnesotans saw what Republican leadership looks like and where the two parties stand on the issues important to Minnesotans.
Republicans voted to:
•
Protect girls’ sports by keeping boys out of female competition.
•
Repeal the Democrats’ dangerous “Duty to Retreat” law.
•
Pause wasteful light rail expansions.
•
Rein in emergency powers—so no governor can rule Minnesota like a king ever again.
•
Return surplus tax dollars where they belong, with hardworking Minnesotans.
•
Fund, pro-life women’s pregnancy centers that Democrats defunded after 20 years of bipartisan support.
•
And require life-saving care for infants born alive after failed abortions.
Democrats voted down every single one, but Minnesotans saw where each party stands.
After the House Returned to a 67-67 Tie:
Eventually, the House returned to a 67-67 tie, yet even then, House Republicans secured conservative wins no one thought possible:
•
The largest spending cut in Minnesota state history.
•
No new taxes on Minnesota families — zero.
•
An end to taxpayer-funded health insurance for adult illegal immigrants.
•
Dozens of anti-fraud reforms to protect your hard-earned money.
•
Protection for homeschoolers and charter schools from Gov. Walz’s proposed cuts to nonpublic pupil aid.
•
Life-saving funding for rural ambulance services facing collapse.
•
Increases in penalties for violent criminals to keep our communities safe.
•
A $2 million cut to Second Harvest Heartland — the “food shelf nonprofit” that was caught paying its CEO over $720,000 a year.
•
Major restrictions on legislatively named nonprofit grants.
•
Cuts to taxpayer-funded abortion grants.
•
Historic permitting reform to speed up job-creating projects.
•
A full repeal of the public option implementation authority and its $21 million in funding.
•
And we stopped massive cost shifts to counties that would’ve driven up your property taxes.
And most importantly: we blocked billions in new taxes, protecting Minnesota families from even more financial pain.
Imagine, with a $6 billion budget deficit, the type of tax raises Democrats would have passed if not for House Republicans standing in the breach.
U.S. representative Brad finstad
districT 20 STATE SENATOR sTEVE DRAZKOWSKi
20A STATE REPRESENTATIVE pam altendorf
20b state representative steve jacob
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