Minnesota Republican Party finances were in 'precarious' shape

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The financial state of the Minnesota Republican Party has been so "precarious" this year that it went a couple months without paying rent on its St. Paul headquarters.

That's according to a confidential memo from its treasurer that became public Monday. The party's deep debt problems contributed to a turnover in leadership last year and have caused internal worries about its ability to assist candidates this fall.

The party owes vendors nearly $1 million from services previously provided and is working to pay off federal penalties and a credit line.

Minnesota GOP chairman Pat Shortridge says the memo dated February 29 reflects "only a snapshot in time" and that the party is in better shape now than it was a few months ago.

The memo was first reported by Politico.