Copy shortlink: State lawmakers and members of the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents are raising concerns that the Legislature's process of electing new regents has become too prone to outside influence. A 24-member council charged with recruiting and recommending qualified regent candidates has become too political, says its chairman, with some members working to "push the candidates of their choice" instead of providing a robust list to the Legislature. Additionally, lawmakers and regents have voiced concern that a political action committee may be trying to influence the elections. The behind-the-scenes maneuverings have sparked fresh scrutiny on the regent selection process, which has often been criticized as favoring the politically connected over the most qualified.