Minnesota Lawyer
Tom Hackbarth (Staff file photo: Peter Bartz-Gallagher)
Rep. Tom Hackbarth has been removed from any leadership position within the House GOP caucus in the wake of a bizarre encounter with the St. Paul Police Department on November 16. The Cedar Republican was slated to become chair of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee, but is no longer in line to wield a gavel.
House Speaker-elect Kurt Zellers, GOP-Maple Grove, issued this statement on the matter:
“Due to an incident on Tuesday, November 16, State Representative Tom Hackbarth has been suspended from any current and pending leadership roles within the House GOP Caucus.
“The suspension will remain in effect until the issue is fully resolved.”
Suspended rather than Stripped would have been a better word for the headline.