The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

March 29, 2007

MSU Republicans win state award

Robb Murray

MANKATO — Even though most of their candidates lost in last November’s elections, the Minnesota State University College Republicans chapter got a little redemption last week.

The MSU chapter was Tim Pawlenty Chapter of the Year, an award that honors the top college chapter in Minnesota.

James Dye, president of the MSU chapter, said the honor means a lot to him and the rest of the students who worked hard last year for area Republican candidates.

“We’re hoping this will be a lasting tradition where we can really show the students that there is a strong conservative voice on campus,” said James Dye, president of the MSU chapter.

Dye and the rest of the College Republicans claim a bit of a coup during the November elections.

While it’s true that, overall, Republicans fared poorly, that wasn’t the case in the MSU’s Gage residence hall. College Republicans worked hard to register voters there, and on election day, Gage Hall — otherwise known as Precinct 16 — went to Mark Kennedy, Mark Piepho, Luke Robinson, Tim Pawlenty, Mary Kiff-meyer, Patricia Anderson and Jeff Johnson.

Of those, only Pawlenty won his race. But that didn’t discourage Dye or the others.

“It didn’t feel empty at all,” said Dye, when asked if the group felt dejected with the overall results or whether the results made the recent chapter-of-the-year honor feel empty. “There was some other shining moments that came about. Tim Pawlenty, the main person of our state, got elected.”

The Tim Pawlenty award is given annually. There are at least 13 chapters eligible in Minnesota. Winners are chosen by a leadership team within the Minnesota State College Republicans convention organization.

This is the second straight year the chapter has experienced some recognition. Last year, one of its members was named Activist of the Year at the convention.

MSU’s chapter has about 150 members. During last year’s elections, they helped nearly 250 students register to vote. They also took part in a series of organized protests aimed at the competence of Judi Dutcher, running mate of DFL gubernatorial hopeful Mike Hatch.

(When Dutcher’s lack of knowledge of ethanol went public, College Republicans around the state protested wherever Hatch campaigned.)

Dye says having a well-organized College Republican chapter is good for everyone on campus.

“It provides ideological diversity on campus,” he said. “When a student is provided with both sides, it really furthers their education. It creates a better environment for incoming freshmen all the way to our graduating seniors.”

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