GOP caucus moderator Bill Erickson, above.

The Faribault County Republicans held their group precinct caucuses all at the same locale last Tuesday, Feb. 1, starting at 7 p.m.

There were 100 Republicans at the caucus held at the Commons Area at Blue Earth Area High School. Each of the county’s 18 precincts had separate tables to meet at, although all the groups met as a whole for most of the night. A few of the precincts had no one present to represent them.

One of the first orders of business was to cast straw votes for their choice for a GOP candidate to run for governor against incumbent DFLer Tim Walz.

There were six names on the ballot, plus one spot for undecided. It was announced there was one more potential candidate who declared too late to be on the ballot and that was former Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek.

The Faribault County Republicans gave the nod to former state Sen. Scott Jensen with 33 votes. Mike Murphy received 22 votes, state Sen. Paul Gazelka 16, Dr. Neil Shah 10, corporate executive Kendall Qualls 7, state Senator Michelle Benson 4 and undecided 4.

There were 97 straw ballots cast at the county caucus last Tuesday.

Statewide Republicans also seemed to be going with Dr. Scott Jensen in the straw polls. He was reported to have received 38 percent of the straw voting statewide. State Sen. Paul Gazelka was reported to have received 14 percent.

Before the balloting at the Faribault County Republican caucus last Tuesday night, several of the candidates had written letters which were read aloud by local county GOP members.

The group also heard from state Representative Bjorn Olson, who was present to give an update on the legislature and his views on certain issues.

Rep. Olson also participated in the caucus with his hometown of Elmore.

The party members present also discussed issues, elected party leadership and chose delegates to the Faribault County Republican Convention, which will be held Saturday morning, March 12, at the Golden Bubble south of Wells.