The previous Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty is a Republican . After Pawlenty 's re-election in 2006 , Republicans held the governorship for 16 of 20 years through the end of 2010 . In the general election of 2010 , the party captured both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature for the first time since the 1970s , and defeated 18-term Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar by electing Chip Cravaack , despite having lost every statewide race . The 2008 Republican National Convention was held in St. Paul
2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
Republican Party of Minnesota