Former Minnesota GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan has sued the party she once led, alleging that former colleagues disparaged her in violation of a separation agreement and damaged her ability to get another job.

The Minnesota Republican Party swiftly countersued Carnahan, saying she "grossly mismanaged" the party. The state GOP is seeking to "recover the substantial damages caused by Carnahan's unlawful acts."

The legal fight comes as the Minnesota Republican Party prepares to gather in St. Cloud on Saturday to elect its leaders after a disappointing midterm election performance that saw Democrats win the governor's office and full control of the state Legislature.

State Republican leaders forced Carnahan out in Aug. 2021 amid allegations that she created a toxic workplace environment, ignored concerns about sexual harassment and retaliated against employees who didn't fall in line. Prominent Republican leaders also expressed serious concerns about Carnahan's close relationship with GOP donor Anton "Tony" Lazzaro after he was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges.

The GOP's executive board voted 8-7 to give Carnahan three months' salary as severance to leave her role. Carnahan cast the deciding vote to give herself money on the way out.

In her lawsuit, filed Thursday in Hennepin County, Carnahan claims a group of party officials who opposed her election brought "an onslaught of false claims against her" in an attempt to force her out. When she agreed to step down, she...

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