ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Republican Party officials plan to discuss the party's finances one day ahead of a meeting to elect a new chairman.

The GOP's financial picture isn't good, but it's not clear just how bad it is. Estimates of the party's debt have ranged from $500,000 to as much as $1.2 million.

That debt is seen as one reason the party is choosing a new chairman. The last one, Tony Sutton, resigned in early December. Sutton has blamed much of the debt on legal costs associated with a
recount of the 2010 governor's race.

GOP spokeswoman Heather Rubash says the party wants to be open with the public and with delegates to a Saturday meeting in St. Cloud where a new chairman will be chosen.