Republicans file first lawsuit related to gubernatorial election

The first lawsuit related to the gubernatorial election has officially been filed. Emmer for Governor and the Repulican Party of Minnesota have filed lawsuits against St. Louis and Pine counties accusing them of not responding in a "timely manner' to data requests related to the Nov. 2 election.

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Tony Sutton issued the following statement about the lawsuits:

“The unacceptable foot dragging of St. Louis and Pine Counties cannot persist. The Emmer for Governor campaign and the Republican Party of Minnesota should not have to go to court to get counties to respond to data practices requests in a timely manner. We will continue to pursue any counties that do not promptly meet their legal obligations during this process. Minnesotans deserve better."

Click the links to view copies of the lawsuit against St. Louis and Pine counties.

Meanwhile, the recount team for DFLer Mark Dayton had a press conference this morning at the Capitol. David Lillehaug, an attorney for Dayton, accused Emmer campaign of going on one of the "biggest fishing expeditions of all time" by requesting tens of thousands of documents.

Olmsted County Elections Administrator Pam Fuller said Olmsted County has been deluged with data requests from  the Republican Party of Minnesota and that the Dayton campaign has asked for copies of whatever the Emmer campaign gets. She estimates it will take 60 staff hours to fufill these extensive data requests.