Former Minn. Executive to Lead GOP Convention Fundraising Effort

A retired insurance company executive will take the lead role in promoting and raising money for the 2008 Republican National Convention.

The local host committee planning for the GOP gathering announced that Doug Leatherdale will become chairman.

Leatherdale is the former chairman and CEO of The St. Paul Cos., and is also a director at UnitedHealth Group Inc.

The party has given the host committee a $39 million fundraising goal for the convention, but the committee is aiming for almost $60 million.

Committee official Jeff Larson said convention organizers have raised at least 20 percent of the $39 million. That would work out to at least $7.8 million, although Larson declined to provide a specific dollar amount.