BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) - There's a change at the top for the Minnesota Republican Party.

State Republicans at a gathering in Brooklyn Center selected longtime party official Tony Sutton of Inver Grove Heights as party chairman. Sutton replaces Ron Carey, who is stepping down July 1 after two 2-year terms.

Also in the running were Lakeville attorney and former radio talk show host Dave Thompson and former state Sen. Carrie Ruud of Breezy Point.

The change comes as the party looks ahead to an important 2010 election cycle. The governor's office, eight congressional seats and the full Legislature are on the line.

Saturday's meeting of the GOP state central committee included remarks by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has 18 months left in his final term. Delegates also heard from Norm Coleman, who remains in legal limbo over a U.S. Senate seat.

At least four possible contenders for the nomination for governor indicated they are running, adding their names to a half dozen others expected to be in the race.

The four latest entrants are former state Auditor Pat Anderson of Eagan, state Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert of Marshall and former House Speaker Steve Sviggum of Kenyon.

The 41-year-old Sutton, CEO of the Baja Sol chain of restaurants, was elected on the first ballot with 195 votes to 133 for Thompson and 17 for Ruud.

Blogger Michael Brodkorb, of Eagan, was elected deputy chair.

"Starting today we begin the process of rebuilding our party and renewing this country," Sutton said. "We must again be the party of the American dream."

He said he won because "folks appreciated my experience and my commitment to the conservative cause."

Coleman told the crowd he still expects the Minnesota Supreme Court will seat him, not Democrat Al Franken, in the Senate as a result of their disputed election last fall.