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GOP chairwoman wants commission on party donations

A memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press shows GOP chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan requesting a 10 percent payout from large contributions.
Jennifer Carnahan was elected as the new chair of the Minnesota Republican Party on Saturday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The chairwoman of Minnesota's Republican Party is seeking a commission from large donations to supplement her salary in what campaign finance experts call an unusual arrangement.

A memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press shows Jennifer Carnahan requesting a 10 percent payout from large contributions. Her memo to party leaders requested the commissions for the period from October 2017 through at least April 2018.

An accompanying chart showed Carnahan would get an immediate $24,500 payout.

Carnahan argues that her current salary of $67,000 is below market value and that she is not personally wealthy like some party leaders in other states. Her salary has not been publicized.

Minnesota's Republican Party executive director Matthew Pagano is reacting cautiously to Carnahan's request to get a personal cut from large donations to the party. While not directly addressing the chairwoman's request, he tells The Associated Press that salary adjustments are "normal" for state party chairs. Pagano says the Minnesota GOP is in a strong financial position for the upcoming election cycle.

Party leaders are due to consider Carnahan's request Thursday.

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