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Tim Pugmire
St. Paul, Minn.

State Republican chairman backs Huckabee

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State Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey says he will lead the new Minnesota presidential campaign team for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.

Carey announced his support Monday at Capitol news conference, four days after Huckabee's convincing win in the Iowa caucuses.

State party leaders have traditionally remained neutral until a clear favorite for the nomination is decided. But Carey says there is too much at stake to be silent. He says his early support of a presidential candidate is allowed by the bylaws of the Republican Party of Minnesota. "Something that I think we need more of in politics is that we don't just put that finger in the wind and see what the direction is," says Carey. "Because I'm going to take some hits for this. But I truly believe in the long hall that this is the best thing for the Republican party to have a viable campaign for Mike Huckabee, and I think he's the candidate that has the best chance to lead us to success in November."

Carey says he doesn't know if Huckabee will visit Minnesota before the February 5th precinct caucuses.

A spokeswoman for the Minnesota DFL Party says state chairman Brian Melendez is staying neutral in the presidential race until a Democratic nominee is decided.