2026 LYON COUNTY PRECINCT CAUCUSES
GOP group gathers in Tracy to vote on candidates, introduce resolutions
A small-town precinct caucus isn’t exactly known as a hang-out spot for teenagers. But to Adam Hippe, that was exactly the place to be Tuesday.
“Our government teacher mentioned this and encouraged us to go,” said Hippe, a senior at Tracy Area High School, who was one of more than a dozen people in attendance at Tuesday’s Lyon County Republican Precinct Caucus. “I’ve always kind of been interested in politics and history, so I figured, ‘Why not.’ I’ve got nothing to lose from being here. I figured I’d show up and at least see what it’s like.”
Hippe will turn 18 soon, so he will be able to vote in November.
“I’m excited, but it’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought to yet,” he said.
Precinct caucuses are required by State law and give voters the opportunity to express their point of view. While not normally on many people’s radar, precinct caucuses serve myriad purposes, including the election of delegates, officers and alternates; the introduction of proposed resolutions that can become part of the Republican platform; and straw candidate polls — all of which give a voice to rural precincts.
“This is the grass-roots,” said Dan Zimansky, the convener for Tuesday caucus. “This is the first step. This is where the people who are interested in the political process and want to become delegates or alternates for the county convention, or maybe the congressional district convention and the state convention.” Local precincts represented Tuesday included the cities of Tracy, Balaton, Florence, and Rock Lake and Custer townships; each area was broken up so those representing their respective area could share discussion on delegates and resolutions they wanted brought to the Lyon County convention on Saturday, March 7, at the YMCA in Marshall. There were no
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This is where the people who are interested in the political process and want to become delegates or alternates for the county convention, or maybe the congressional district convention and the state convention.
— DANIEL ZIMANSKY representatives from Garvin, or Amiret, Monroe and Sherburne Townships in attendance.
The straw poll conducted in Tracy on Tuesday was the local precinct’s nomination of a gubernatorial hopeful to represent the Republican party in this year’s primary. Candidates include Lisa Demuth, Scott Jensen, Kendall Qualls, Patrick Knight, Brad Kohler, Phillip Parish and Mike Lindell.
Voters favored Demuth with nine votes; Qualls received six votes, and Jensen and Parrish both had one vote.
Two resolutions were introduced and passed. The first was a proposal that Minnesota be a Shariafree state, as it is in direct opposition to the Constitution, freedoms and beliefs of America’s founding fathers, according to the person who presented the resolution. The second was a proposal was that the Minnesota state flag and seal be reverted to the original.
