ALBERT LEA, Minn. - With the Florida Presidential Primary over the candidates are looking ahead to the next races.
Mitt Romney came away with 46 percent of the vote in Florida Tuesday night with Newt Gingrich picking up 32 percent.
On Feb. 7, Minnesotans will have their chance to shape the republican nominating process, and this year the Minnesota caucuses could have one of the biggest impacts on the race that it has had in a long time.
“This year's a lot different we are looking at a contested race for the presidential nomination that's unusual for Minnesota,” said Matt Benda, political analyst.
This year Minnesota caucus goers could have a big role in who gets the GOP nod.
“A lot of times the presidential candidate is already heir apparent at this time so this year we're looking at a lot of new faces and a lot of excitement more than a normal presidential year,” said Benda.
Benda says issues Minnesotans are concerned with mirror the rest of the country.
“I think Minnesota like the rest of the county wants to see economic reform, economic growth and we want to find a way to remove barriers to business growth and increase job growth,” said Benda.
Newt Gingrich, who is currently behind in the delegate count, isn't showing any sign of backing down.
“We are going to contest every place and we are going to win and we will be in Tampa as the nominee in August,” said Gingrich.
Meanwhile after his win Tuesday night Mitt Romney is trying to turn his attention toward the general election.
“We balanced the budget every year and we kept our schools first in the nation; my leadership will end the Obama era and bring in a new era of American prosperity,” said Romney.
Even though Romney is ahead only about five percent of the total delegates have been assigned so far. Benda expects a high caucus turnout and says the party shouldn't shy away from this process.
“It's exciting to see all our ideas put out there in front of the public and it's an exciting time and it's a positive thing for the Republican Party and I think in the end it'll make us more unified,” said Benda.
Minnesota's 40 delegates are non-binding, just like Iowa's, meaning delegates from the state are free to vote for the candidate of their choice at the convention regardless of caucus results.
