The Minnesota Republican Party is in a chaotic state following the ousting of State Chair Jennifer Carnahan last week. Carnahan’s connection with fund raiser Anton Lazarro, arrested on federal warrants of child sex trafficking, made it hard for the party to keep her on. But Lazarro’s problems brought to light other criticisms of the way Carnahan has led the party. Last week the State Republican Committee negated several nondisclosure agreements Carnahan had forced several ex-staffers to sign, and four of them quickly voiced charges that Carnahan had created a hostile work environment and tolerated sexual harassment.

Last Thursday, as the committee met to take a vote of confidence or to dismiss Carnahan, she negotiated a severance package. When the committee tied on the package, Carnahan was allowed to cast the deciding vote. How irregular is that?

With this mess behind them, the party is left with no leadership, with the 2022 election a little over a year away.

It is usually the task of the party chair to lead the way and win elections, to set overall campaign strategy, recruit candidates and raise funds to support them. Their next chair will need to be able to do that, but more important, must be someone who can restore a sense of honor and integrity in the party, who can recreate trust among party members.