House GOP expels convicted lawmaker

Republicans in the Minnesota House have voted to permanently remove Rep. Mark Olson of Big Lake from their caucus.

The House GOP had suspended Olson nearly a year ago after the eight-term legislator was arrested in connection with a domestic dispute.

Last July, a Sherburne County jury convicted Olson of causing his wife fear of bodily harm when they ran into each other and fell down behind their home.

He was sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to pay fines and court costs of almost $400. His attorney said Olson acted in self-defense in an abusive relationship.

Minority Leader Marty Seifert of Marshall says the removal could be re-evaluated if Olson successfully appeals his conviction, or if he's re-elected in 2008. Seifert says the action clarifies Olson's status.

"There's a lot of uncertainty about what suspension means, or what expulsion means. And suspension was a word that a lot of people didn't understand what it meant," said Seifert. "We had the discussion in caucus now, after the courts had rendered their decision. And the caucus decided this isn't a right, it's a privilege to be a member of the caucus. And so they decided at this point to remove him."

Olson said he didn't see much difference between suspension and explusion.

"It really does nothing more than give these folks license to send people out into the district to run against me," he said.

Seifert says there are several Republicans interested in running for Olson's District 16-B seat next year, including former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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