Ex-Minnesota GOP party leader backs state representative for open House seat

Jeremy Munson’s bid for a vacant Minnesota House seat picked up the endorsement of former state Republican Party Chairman Keith Downey, growing support for the conservative favorite’s candidacy in a special election.

The backing Munson received from Downey was notable because among his primary opponents in the May 24 special GOP primary in southern Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District is another former state Republican chairman, Jennifer Carnahan. But Downey’s endorsement also was significant because it follows those granted by other prominent Republicans, including Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus on Capitol Hill.