The new chair of the Minnesota state Republican Party is Wayzata city council member Alex Plechash.
He won Saturday's vote by the state central committee to replace David Hann, who had been state GOP chair since 2021.
In a statement, Hann says it was an honor serving the party and that Republicans are in position to win in 2026, something that hasn't happened in a statewide election for nearly two decades.
"The divide between Democrats and Republicans in Minnesota is very, very close," said University of Minnesota political science professor Larry Jacobs. "I think the right Republican gubernatorial candidate, who can appeal to independent and moderate voters will have a chance in Minnesota.
Democratic party state chair Ken Martin was critical of the GOP leadership change, claiming that the vote was affected by what he called the far-right fringe.
Recount lawsuit in Scott County
Trial begins Monday in Scott County over results of an election that could affect the balance of power in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Democrat Brad Tabke won re-election by 14 votes over Republican challenger Aaron Paul, but that margin is smaller than the number of missing ballots in that election.
Paul filed the lawsuit in an attempt to get the court to declare a vacancy in House seat 54-A, which would force a special election.
A post-election audit revealed that the missing ballots were accepted but not counted, and disposed of.
With Tabke declaring victory, the Minnesota House has an even split between Democrats and Republicans.
A new election could swing the majority toward the GOP.