GOP chair shuffle: Shortridge in, Osskopp out

The field for state Republican Party chair remains in flux. On Tuesday veteran GOP strategist Pat Shortridge announced that he is seeking the post. Shortridge’s resume includes working on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio‘s 2010 campaign and serving as chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy.

But another strong contender, former state Rep. Mike Osskopp, removed his name from contention. Instead Osskopp announced that he’s backing Shortridge.

The only other announced candidate is Todd McIntyre, who is not well known in GOP activist circles.

Other candidates for the party’s top post are still likely to emerge. Terry McCall, GOP chair in the Second Congressional District,  has been weighing a run, as has conservative talk-show host Sue Jeffers. Current deputy chair Kelly Fenton has also not ruled out a bid.

Another name that’s surfaced recently : Mike Campbell, a fundraiser for the GOP’s Senate Victory Fund. On Monday Pat Anderson, a member of the state party’s executive committee, stated on Twitter that Campbell is being recruited to run. Campbell didn’t respond to a call and email from PIM seeking comment.

Republicans will gather in St. Cloud on New Year’s Eve day to elect a successor to Tony Sutton, who resigned his post earlier this month.