There were a few familiar faces when I entered the room. Two of my friend’s moms were there, and a couple that attend the American Legion meetings that I knew from Boys’ State. Other than that, the median age in the room was fifty. I and another eighteen year old seemed to be the only ones under the age of thirty. It was worrying to me – there isn’t a lack of interest in politics in our generation – everyone has an opinion on an issue and wants to express it – it’s a lack of efficacy. People in general don’t put their principles to practice, so that’s what I decided to do on Friday March 2nd at the Republican Senate District 58 Convention.

`           The convention started with speeches from those who are running for the Republican Nomination for Governor. Former Nominee Jeff Johnson started off the three minute Speeches, with Mayor of Woodbury Mary Giuliani Stephens second. Intelligence Officer Phillip Parrish could not attend because he was currently deployed on a mission from the Navy. Finally, Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party Keith Downey gave his spiel. I’m surprised that many weren’t lifelong politicians, but instead related to the political system in some way or another. My thought is that more people are running from different backgrounds for office since President Trump has been elected.

After speeches were over, District 58 broke into two sub-districts, 58A and 58B. Cannon Falls was in 58B, and we then went on to nominate our House Representative, Pat Garofalo, who has been the incumbent since 2005. We then selected Delegates to the State Convention. The Republican State Convention is in Duluth this year, and I was selected to be a Delegate. There I got to vote on Party Platform and help nominate a candidate for Governor.

Political participation is vital, as it always is. Republicans have a bad habit of mobilizing, getting change in office, becoming complacent, and then losing the next general election. Minnesota almost gave its electoral votes to Trump; it was only three percentage points off. A big theme at the Caucus was “we can turn Minnesota Red”; let’s just hope the electorate has not become complacent.