GOP, DFL both set to host party conventions in Rochester this month

There will be no escaping politics the next two weekends in downtown Rochester with Minnesota’s two largest political parties set to host their state conventions at the Mayo Civic Center.

The GOP state convention will be held this Friday and Saturday, May 14-15; the DFL convention will run the weekend after, from May 20-22.

Both events are expected to draw thousands of delegates, party activists, media members, and others to the downtown area.

Atop the list of priorities for the GOP convention is to find a candidate to challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz this November. The leading Republican candidates include former Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, physician and Covid-skeptic Scott Jensen, and business executive Kendall Qualls.

Republicans will also endorse candidates for three other statewide offices: attorney general, secretary of state, and auditor. The GOP has not won a statewide race since Gov. Tim Pawlenty was elected in 2006.

On the DFL side, delegates will vote on the same positions — though that process will likely be much more predictable, with incumbent Democrats, including Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, not expected to face major challenges for their party’s endorsements.

This will be the state GOP’s first time back in Rochester for its convention since 2014. The DFL last held its convention here in 2018.