The race for Republican National Committeewoman at the state Republican Party convention this weekend is not exactly the most-watched political contest of the year.

Delegates in the Lakeville-area House District 56B nominated city school board member Roz Peterson to run for the open seat.

Earlier this month, when GOP activists in Carver County gathered to pick their slate of delegates for the state party convention in May, supporters of Congressman Ron Paul’s long-shot presidential bid turned up in droves. And once all the votes were tallied, Paul backers had secured 30 out of 52 delegate slots.

Last Saturday GOP activists gathered in Burnsville to determine who would be the endorsed candidate in House District 56A. No incumbent is running for re-election in the district, which leans heavily Republican.

Republican activists in Lakeville gathered on Saturday to endorse a candidate for an open seat in House District 56B. But after four ballots neither of the challengers -- Terry McCall and Roz Peterson -- had reached the 60 percent threshold required for endorsement.

House and Senate races across the state are rapidly shaking out after the release of the 2012 legislative map last month. And with local endorsing conventions set to take place throughout March, incumbents and challengers alike have little time to make decisions about their political futures.

House and Senate races across the state are rapidly shaking out following the release of new legislative maps.

Minnesota Republican activists have elected longtime operative Pat Shortridge to lead the GOP Party out of more than $2 million in debt and into the 2012 election season.

Sen. Warren Limmer is not running for chair of the state Republican Party. On Tuesday the Judiciary Committee chair told reporters that he was weighing a bid for the party's top post, but has now decided to focus on his duties in the Senate.

Longtime GOP operative Pat Shortridge, Second Congressional District Republican chairman Terry McCall and activist Todd McIntyre have all announced campaigns. Candidates will participate in a forum on Thursday at the Wentworth Library in West St. Paul.