ST. PAUL -- Minnesota Senate Republicans say they don't want a lawmaker shunned by House Republicans over a domestic assault conviction.
Representative Mark Olson has the local GOP endorsement for an open Senate seat, after the party backed another candidate in his House district.
But Senate Majority Leader David Senjem says his caucus is supporting Olson's primary opponent, Alison Krueger.
Senjem says it's a matter of integrity and character.
A statement from caucus leaders says Olson "would not be welcome as a member of our Senate Republican Caucus."
Olson was permanently expelled from the House Republican Caucus last summer after his conviction on domestic assault charges.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
