Politics & Government
Photos: Minnesota Senate District 32 Republican Caucus
Presidential candidate Ron Paul, Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers, Rep. Joyce Peppin, Sen. Warren Limmer and Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek were among those that spoke before hundreds at the Feb. 7 Minnesota Senate District 32 Republican Caucus.
More than 1,000 attendees turned out for the Senate District 32 Republican Caucus at Tuesday, Feb. 7, completely filling the seats in the school's auditorium.
The turnout was close to 2008 numbers, according to GOP Senate District 32 Co-Chair Chuck Poulet, stating the visit by helped bring in a larger crowd. Twenty-four precincts gathered at the school during the caucus.
“A lot of people think of politics as an insider game, but this [caucus] is the first way to become involved,” Poulet said. “It’s not that hard to become involved and you give back to the community.”
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GOP Senate District 32 Treasurer Jennifer DeJournett was pleased with the results of the evening. “I feel like we really pulled it off. It was really a good night,” she said.
The straw poll results were later by DeJournett for GOP Senate District 32 as reported as:
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- Rick Santorum - 444
- Ron Paul - 315
- Mitt Romney- 232
- Newt Gingrich - 134
- John Huntsman - 1
- Michelle Bachmann - 1
The Senate District 32 Republican caucus brought out several relatively new attendees. Maple Grove resident Carol Eyrich told Patch it is an “important year” for voters.
“If we are ever going to change, its now,” she said, stating she was torn between GOP candidates. “It’s hard, not knowing who can beat Obama.”
Ann Miller and her ten-year-old son, Josh, took in their first caucus at Josh’s prompting.
“It was very interesting - interesting seeing democracy at work,” the Basswood Elementary Student Council fourth grader said. His mother Ann said the experience was a “great model for the next generation.”
Josh wasn’t the only student have a presence at Tuesday’s caucus. Maple Grove Senior High seniors Briel Larson and Taylor Collins decided to use the event as a way to fulfill a requirement for their government class.
“It was way more fun than going to a meeting,” Collins said. The duo volunteered at caucus, helping find their precinct meeting room.
Briel commented she was “surprised” how many people were at the caucus.
“People just seemed excited to be here,” Collins said.
Editor’s note: Maple Grove Patch will continue to follow up for results from the evening.
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