Charron experiences RNC as delegate

By Chad Divine
Cardinal Staff

Michael Charron, dean of the School of the Arts, recently represented Minnesota as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
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Charron, who served four years on the Woodbury City Council and two years in the Minnesota House of Representatives for district 56A, was thrilled to be “a part of history,” he said.

Charron had to climb a substantial ladder to end up with the role. He began the night of the Minnesota caucuses by submitting his name to be a delegate to the county convention. He won and repeated the process at the county convention to secure a spot at the congressional district convention.

At the congressional district convention for Minnesota’s first district, which covers the lower part of the state, including Winona, Charron worked to support a friend of his trying to gain the Republican endorsement for the United States House of Representatives seat and gave the nominations speech.

Although his friend was beaten in his bid, both he and Charron drew attention and were elected to be two of the three delegates to the national convention from the district.

Minnesota had a total of 41 delegates at this month’s convention. Each of the eight districts in the state elected three delegates, with another 14 being elected at the state convention. The final three delegates are officers of the state party.

Most people are familiar with the prime time features of each convention’s crowd-pleasing speeches that are interrupted by a standing ovation every three minutes, but there is actually work to be done when the cameras are turned off. The delegates work to appoint various national committees to work on the platform of the party and do various other tasks.

During this time, the delegates and politicians alike take advantage of the gathering to set up various “unofficial” policy meetings. Charron himself was part of one such meeting about the arts in America. The meeting consisted of “art-supporting Republicans, including Governor Mike huckaby and several other congressional Republicans,” said Charron.

In addition to discussing policy, Charron attracted all sorts of attention. Various news outlets asked him for comment, including the New York Times, National Public Radio and CBS.

About the experience, Charron said, “Dictatorships are easy. Democracy is an arduous, sometimes messy, but fascinating experience.”