After the Capitol Preservation Commission voted to recommend leaving Civil War paintings displayed in the Governor’s reception room in the Capitol, Senate Republican Leader Paul Gazelka released the following statement:

“The attempt to remove these historic Civil War paintings is political correctness at its worst, so I’m pleased common sense prevailed today. It’s a shame Governor Dayton walked out of the meeting instead of listening to other opinions. If the Governor still refuses to keep the art in his reception room, Senate Republicans will pursue options to display it prominently in Senate space in the Capitol. The Capitol’s Civil War paintings are not just priceless works of art, but an important tribute to our heroic Minnesota ancestors who fought bravely on the front lines. Stripping the Capitol of their legacy would be an insult to all veterans.”