As Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt moves through the final, frantic days of the legislative session, Ben Golnik is usually at his side to help game out the politics of high-stakes legislative votes, scan headlines for the latest Capitol narrative and field a constant stream of texts and e-mails from lawmakers, lobbyists, allies and reporters.
Golnik, 40, sports a proper suit often paired with rattlesnake-skin boots. They betray this canny Republican operative's central Florida roots — and his reputation among political friends and enemies for a venomous bite.
The executive director of the House Republican Caucus, Golnik was central to the successful effort by Daudt and Republicans to consolidate power in the Minnesota Legislature over the past few years even as the party struggled in statewide races. In the weeks and months ahead, he'll counsel Daudt on a potential run for governor — one that, if successful, would further entrench Golnik's own power in St. Paul.
Admirers say Golnik, as much as anyone, has brought within reach a prize once considered unthinkable: total GOP control of Minnesota government.
"He's the best Republican operative in Minnesota today, and one of the best I've ever seen," said Chris Georgacas, a former state GOP chairman and current CEO of Goff Public, a lobbying and public relations firm.
His boss is just as effusive: "He has a lot to do with the success we've had in the past two elections," Daudt said. Golnik draws a state paycheck of about $125,000, among the highest-paid legislative staff.
Golnik has his fingers in all aspects of campaigns. He raises money from wealthy donors. He selects and recruits candidates who best fit a district, and who come to owe him and Daudt for their seats. He hectors reporters, urging them to kill unfriendly stories. He analyzes polling data. He writes attack ads.
A Golnik story: Small talk on the House floor earlier this year led to speculation about U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, who is mulling a run for governor. Golnik dug into his mental opposition research file on Nolan, quickly pointing out that the DFL congressman was liberal enough in 1980 to back then-Sen. Edward Kennedy over President Jimmy Carter for re-election. Golnik was barely out of diapers at the time.