The 2024 Polk County Republicans Caucus will take place on Tuesday, February 27. The caucus will take place in five locations across Polk County, including- The Cobblestone Inn in Crookston, The Senior Center in East Grand Forks, the Community Center in Erskine, the Fertile Community Center, and the Fosston Embassy Center. Doors will open promptly at 6:30 p.m., and call to order will commence at 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota is now a straight primary state and no longer holds a straw poll for the presidency. By attending the caucus, you may sit in on regular party business and introduce, discuss, and ultimately vote on resolutions. “You can do all of this to change the party’s platform,” said Chairman of the Polk County Republican Party Alex Preusser, “On what direction you want the party to pursue and the true grassroots.”
The republican party is currently structured on a two-year cycle. Every year (this year is even), the party meets at a caucus where the precinct delegates are elected. Chair of the Polk County Republican Party, John Ross, explained that this is an excellent opportunity to for people to have their voices heard. “People don’t realize that if they want a say or a vote in the republican party,” said Ross, “And if you miss this night, you’re not a precinct delegate and will have no vote at any other levels of the party.” In odd years (2025), the precinct delegates can elect the executive board of the Republican Party. Those selected as precinct delegates will have a two-year responsibility, which includes attending the Senate District Endorsing convention.
Preusser explains why it is essential for Polk County Republicans to attend. “All politics are local, and this is how you affect change in a political party,” said Preusser, “And up to the presidency of the United States and even local and state political issues, you get involved on the ground floor, and that’s the only way to get involved.”
On March 9, the Polk County precinct delegates will meet at Crookston High School to go through county business. The party will determine the state delegates on this date, ranging from 18 to 20 representatives. “They will go to the congressional district and the state conventions,” said Ross, “They will then endorse which candidate they choose for the Republican Party.” Royce White and Joel Frazier are the two candidates seeking the Northwest Minnesota representative position. This meeting would also determine who would be elected between those two candidates. District 1B representative Deb Kiel announced her retirement earlier this year. East Grand Forks Mayor Steve Gander and Travis “Bull” Johnson are the two candidates running to replace Kiel.
Republican Party Caucus scheduling and location information are listed below.
2024 Caucus Locations For Polk County Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, 2304 Sahlstrom Dr, Crookston, MN 56716 for the townships of Fanny, Parnell, Lowell, Crookston, Andover, Fairfax, Gentilly, Kertsonville, Vineland, Hammond, Hubbard, Scandia, Angus, Brandt, Keystone, Euclid, and Belgium. All wards city of Climax, all wards city of Crookston, all wards city of Nielsville. Crookston Convener: Mike Tiedemann
East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr. SE East Grand Forks, MN 56721 for the townships of Huntsville, Nesbit, Northland, Fisher, Bygland, Tynsid, Roome, Grand Forks, Sullivan, Sandsville, Esther, Rhinehart, Higden, Farley, Brislet, Helgeland, Tabor. All wards city of East Grand Forks, all wards city of Fisher. East Grand Forks Convener: Jon Ross
Erskine Community Center, 105 Ross Ave. Erskine, MN 56535 for the following townships: Badger, Lessor, Knute, Winger, King, Sletton, Woodside . all wards city of Erskine, all wards city of McIntosh, all wards city of Winger Erskine Convener: Sherry Hoaas
Fertile Community Center, 101 S. Mill St. Fertile, MN 56540 for the following townships: Russia, Grove Park-Tilden, Onstad, Godfrey, Reis, Liberty, Garfield, Garden, all wards city of Mentor, all wards city of Beltrami, all wards city of Fertile Fertile Convener: Alex Preusser
Fosston Embassy Center, 603 3rd St. NE Fosston, MN 56542 for the following townships: Johnson, Chester, Gully, Hill River, Eden, Brandsvold, Queen, Rosebud, Columbia, all wards city of Fosston, all wards city of Gully, all wards city of Lengby, all wards city of Trail. Fosston Convener: Melanie Olson
