A top political analyst says four conservative Republicans who formed their own caucus in the Minnesota House will have a tough time gaining any power. Hamline University Professor David Schultz says it would different if Republicans were in the majority for the upcoming legislative session and the breakaway group “had created kind of a ‘rump caucus’ that could prevent legislation from passing — then they would have influence. But they are a minority of the minority. That gives them almost no real influence…, only perhaps in the media.”
Schultz says, “I suspect they will try to claim that they are the true heirs of Donald Trump in terms of where the party is headed, and that does fracture the party.” He argues it’s a big gamble for the “New House Republican Caucus” — particularly in Minnesota where the president arguably is not popular, as demonstrated in last month’s election.
The New House Republican Caucus is organized by Representatives Steve Drazkowski from Mazeppa, Tim Miller of Prinsburg, Cal Bahr of East Bethel and Jeremy Munson from Lake Crystal.
More in this interview with MNN’s Bill Werner: