OAK GROVE, Minn. — The Senate District 31 Republican Executive Board unanimously agreed upon a vote of no confidence in Representative Tom Hackbarth (HD31B) after he breaks his commitment to abide by the endorsement. On April 2, 20166, the Senate District 31 Republicans held an endorsing convention for House District 31B.
Both candidates — Representative Tom Hackbarth and Mr. Cal Bahr — agreed to abide by the endorsement process, stating so to the nominations committee at the convention and publicly at a candidate forum mere weeks prior. Their pledge to abide was consistent with their positions in the previous two election cycles, where Representative Hackbarth and Mr. Bahr both campaigned for the endorsement of the House District 31B Republicans. In both the previous cycles, Representative Hackbarth won the endorsement and Mr. Bahr acted with honor, integrity, and dignity by following through with his commitment to abide by the will of the delegates.
At the April convention this year, Mr. Bahr won the Republican endorsement. We expected Representative Hackbarth to respect his commitment to abide by the endorsement and support the endorsed candidate, as we have supported him in the past. In direct contrast to Mr. Bahr’s example from previous cycles, Representative Hackbarth has filed to run in the primary this year.
While legally acceptable, Representative Hackbarth’s action is particularly treacherous and dishonorable. We are not surprised by long-time politicians acting in an “ethically-challenged” fashion and their belief that they “own” their seat. But, Representative Hackbarth’s action is especially egregious in that it directly defies the trust Representative Hackbarth traded upon with the organization’s most dedicated and active participants, affecting not only his individual race, but those of other Republicans up and down the ballot.
Therefore, the executive board of the Senate District 31 Republicans has unanimously agreed upon a vote of no confidence in Representative Hackbarth. Additionally, since the candidates in the upcoming primary are the same as the endorsing convention and the delegates of that convention made their decision, the board sees no need to call for any other endorsing convention for House District 31B this year, no matter the outcome of the primary.
We call on all Minnesota Republicans of good conscience to join us in condemning Representative Hackbarth’s less than honorable action.
More information: http://www.sd31gop.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenateDistrict31Republicans
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