ST. PAUL, Minn — Just about everybody at the Republican state convention in Duluth seems embarrassed at their “Chauvin Moment.” Some, though, are silent. Democrats, however, are taking perverse delight in the GOP tribute to killer-cop Derek Chauvin who choked George Floyd to death in one of the most horrific moments in Minnesota history in 2020. The GOP convention chair, Danny Nadeau, said was caught off-guard when a delegate — one among 2,300 —— shouted a motion from the floor for or a moment of silence as a tribute to Chauvin. It was amid frenetic floor activity. As incredible as it seems, Nadeau was unaware, at least momentarily, about who Chauvin was. Nadeau asked for approval of the motion. Lemming-like and apparently not attentively tuned in, the crowd roared back enthusiastically to do it. Told later what had happened, Democratic legislator Jay Xiong of St. Paul said: “This is Trump’s party,” Xong faulted Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the leading gubernatorial candidate, for silence on the matter. Other Democrats also exploited the embarrassment. Keith Ellison, the state’s attorney general, who prosecuted Chauvin for murder, said: “To honor a man who disgraced his oath to uphold the law and his badge is disturbing.” Democratic legislator Jame Long noted that Democrats at their state convention in Rochester, in contrast had paid tribute to House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband who were assassinated in their home by an extremist gunman last spring.
Nadeau. Two-term legislator from suburban Minneapolis. As GOP convention chair, he let “Chavin Moment” happen. Blind-sided, he says.
Chauvin. Indelible in Minnesotans’ memories: Murder in progress An image not projected on GOP convention big screen.