A controversial, anti-grassroots petition is circulating within Minnesota’s Congressional District 7 Republican Party demanding the removal of duly elected Chair Bret Bussman. The effort, backed by a small but vocal faction of RINOs has sparked outrage among grassroots conservatives who see it as an attack on election integrity within their own ranks. Liberty-minded Republicans are rallying to defend the will of the delegates who elected Bussman.

The petition comes just months after Bussman courageously opened CD7 executive committee meetings to the public – a move that increased transparency and drew large crowds of engaged activists. Rather than working through proper channels, the RINOs are attempting an end-run to oust a chairman they personally dislike.

State Representatives Jeff Backer (9A) and Tom Murphy (9B) issued a statement condemning the removal effort, declaring that “our personal preferences and perceptions may not override the will of the people, whether it be at the ballot box or in the midst of a back-room discussion.” They praised Bussman for increasing openness and warned that removing an elected chair without serious, lawful cause sets a dangerous precedent for the party that is supposed to be representative of integrity and transparency. While the statement is lacking in some areas, it is head and shoulders better than the RINOs like Michelle Fischbach pretending she doesn’t know what is going on. See statement below:

The coup against Bret Bussman reveals the same establishment tactics that conservatives fight against in general elections are now being used inside the MNGOP: silence dissent, punish transparency, and override voters when they elect the “wrong” leaders. True Republicans believe in clean elections at every level, including party offices.

The CD7 executive committee can still do the right thing and reject the removal petition to stand with the delegates that elected Bret Bussman. Anything less proves the establishment fears grassroots conservatives having power more than they fear losing to Democrats. The liberty wing of the party is watching and will not tolerate backroom coups against the conservatives they elected.