HOUSE INDEPENDENT-REPUBLICAN CAUCUS (MINN.):

The caucus, composed of Republican members of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was concerned with all facets of legislation and with fund raising for Republican legislative candidates, social events, and publicity. Originally named "conservative caucus" (1972-1973), the name was changed to "Republican Caucus" when the legislature dropped the conservative/liberal labels for party designation. In early 1974 the name was changed again to "Independent-Republican Caucus" reflecting the Minnesota Republican party's name change following the Watergate revelations.

The caucus chairmen were also the House minority leaders, and included Aubrey Dirlam (1972-1974), Henry J. Savelkoul (1974-1978), Jerry Knickerbocker (1979), Rodney Searle (1980), Glen Sherwood (1980-1982), and David M. Jennings (1982-1984).

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The collection consists of minutes, agendas, notices of meetings, some memoranda and correspondence, roll calls, seniority lists, some materials relating to legislation, and resolutions, all of it documenting routine caucus matters concerning staff and personnel, fundraising, media contacts, and related matters.

The records contain legislation in some areas: state aids, school finance, unemployment compensation, environmental concerns, the state lottery, and the state's financial situation, particularly during the recession of the early 1980s. Included among these materials are a 1979-1980 budget analysis (January 27, 1977); a state poll of major issues (November 30, 1977); Independent-Republican proposals for House reorganization (January 8, 1979); Memoranda with information on VOTE (Voice Opinions thru Elections), a Republican-oriented organization interested in urging voting among minority groups (February 13 and 18, 1980); and a statement of principles drawn up by the caucus (December 30, 1983 and January 11, 1984).

Following these materials are three folders of minutes, agendas, memoranda, and other records created by special committees within the caucus: Elections (1983-1984), Steering (1976-1978), and Steering and Policy Board (1979-1980). The materials deal with internal staff matters, fund raising, the search for legislative candidates and aiding in their election, and some legislative concerns.

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. House Independent-Republican Caucus (Minn.). Caucus Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 14,896

Processing Information:

Processed by: Kathryn A. Johnson, June 1993.

Catalog ID number: 990017294270104294

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Budget -- Law and legislation -- Minnesota.

Conservatism -- Minnesota.

Governors -- Minnesota.

Legislation -- Minnesota.

Legislative bodies -- Minnesota -- Lower chambers.

Local government -- Minnesota.

Minorities -- Minnesota -- Political activities.

Political parties -- Minnesota.

Recessions -- Minnesota.

Voter registration -- Minnesota.

Persons:

Dirlam, Aubrey W., 1913-, author.

Jennings, David M., author.

Knickerbocker, Jerry, author.

Savelkoul, Henry J., 1940- author.

Searle, Rod, 1920- author.

Sherwood, Glen, 1934- author.

Organizations:

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Independent-Republicans of Minnesota.

Minnesota. Legislature. House of Representatives -- Caucuses.

Places:

Minnesota -- Economic conditions.

Occupations:

Legislators -- Minnesota.

Politicians -- Minnesota.

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