Challenges in the Seventh Congressional District (CD7)
of the Republican Party of Minnesota
Our common goal…. to endorse candidates that reflect the interest of all people! Not a collection of a few! A trifecta in November is the only way to take back our state.
Bret Bussman was elected by the CD7 body of seated delegates on March 29, 2025.
Some History for you to Consider during the upcoming conventions….
The Minnesota Republican Party (MNGOP) Constitution and Bylaws require each Congressional District (CD) to maintain a Congressional District Committee (CDC), similar to the requirement for Basic Political Organizational Units (BPOUs) to have their own committees.
In 2022, members of the CD7 Executive Committee (EC) successfully removed the CDC-specific language from the CD7 constitution. This action violated the MNGOP Constitution, resulting in the MNGOP rules governing CD7 directly. Under those rules, a CDC must include at least a Chair and Treasurer as minimum officers.
Upon Bret Bussman's election as CD7 Chair, he assumed the role of Chair for both the EC and the higher-authority CDC. The EC lacks authority to rule on CDC matters. As Chair, Bussman was obligated to report elected officers, any constitution and bylaws (C&Bs) changes, and other EC members to the MNGOP.
Bussman's first official EC meeting occurred on April 3, 2025. There, he requested documentation from Senate District Directors (SDDs)--- who serve as directors rather than officers—verifying their election or appointment. This was necessary both for MNGOP reporting and due to concerns raised by some SD members about the legitimacy of those positions. The request was denied. Bussman then called a special meeting for April 15 to address the matter, but a majority of the EC canceled it, in accordance with the bylaws. Critics argue this reflected a preference for obstruction over compliance.
The CD7 bylaws mandate that past meeting minutes be provided to the Secretary and that a portfolio of committee records be transferred to the incoming committee Chair and CD7 Secretary for continuity. Bussman received only an outdated list of BPOU Chairs. Current EC members and the outgoing Secretary failed to provide required materials.
The EC repeatedly blocked Bussman's proposed changes and appointments. A notable instance involved his nomination of a qualified tax attorney—who had trained TurboTax employees and advised the company legally—for Treasurer. The EC rejected this appointment. The eventual Treasurer acknowledged the nominee's superior qualifications but offered to serve with assistance. The EC approved outsourcing filing the Federal Election Committee (FEC) report to a third party, despite the rejected nominee's prior experience with such filings.
On December 1, 2025, Bussman received notice of a proposed "removal" as CD7 Chair, scheduled for December 11, signed by three officers and two SDDs. The C&Bs require five officers' signatures for such a request, rendering it invalid under both CD7 rules and Robert's Rules of Order (RROO). Subsequent attempts to amend the notice—to change the purpose to "consider removal" and later add signatures—were also deemed improper. Valid notice requires 10 days' advance delivery for in-person, removal meetings. A winter weather advisory was in effect for southwest Minnesota on December 11, prompting Bussman to cancel the Willmar meeting for safety reasons per the bylaws. Despite this, opponents proceeded with the meeting and claimed to remove him.
At the State Central Committee (SCC) meeting on December 13, 2025, a motion to have the SCC resolve the dispute failed. Per the bylaws, this left the resolution solely to CD7, as the MNGOP EC lacks authority in such matters.
With the CDC (now consisting of Bussman as Chair and the Treasurer, following the 2022 removal of CDC language) remaining intact, it accepted resignations and appointed a new Treasurer. The CDC then issued a call for a CD7 convention- the only body authorized to do so at the district level.
On January 10, 2026, a CD7 convention with 122 seated delegates passed two resolutions: (1) affirming the validity of the March 29, 2025, convention, and (2) declaring the EC's attempted removal of Bussman invalid due to noncompliance with the C&Bs and RROO. The resolutions further noted that the EC lacks authority to remove CDC members; only the CDC can do so, per the MNGOP Constitution.
In the present situation, the Minnesota Supreme Court has required political parties to maintain internal processes for resolving disputes. A Compliance Committee was established and approved by the MNGOP EC but not by the required SCC vote (it appeared on the December 13 agenda but was removed, leading to dissolution). This is viewed by some as failing to comply with the court's directive.
Bussman continues to convene CD7 CDC and EC meetings, with active committees. Inquiries have been directed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), regarding federal funds, and the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (CFB), regarding state funds, for input on financial aspects of the dispute.
Regarding BPOU conventions held this year, reports have emerged of alleged improper and potentially unlawful activities by some BPOUs and candidate committees. These include:
- Preventing caucus delegates from self-nominating as delegates or alternates to CD7 and state conventions.
- Promoting preapproved slates of delegates.
- Distributing lists of preferred delegates aligned with specific candidates.
- Circulating lists of delegates to avoid voting for.
- Sending targeted text messages to delegates before votes to favor certain candidates.
Such practices violate the C&Bs, constitute immoral conduct, restrict participation contrary to Minnesota statutes, and contribute to dysfunction within CD7 and the broader MNGOP—factors cited in the party's long-standing challenges in winning statewide race.
Demand that the two resolutions passed on January 10, 2026, be brought before the CD7 convention body on April 25, 2026, and be voted on. Cast your vote to return power back to We the People!
Concerned CD7 Citizens