Political Party Conventions On Saturday
By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer
The party faithful of both stripes will gather Saturday for county conventions, and East Texas Democrats say a record turnout in their March 4 primary will mean unprecedented participation in what's usually a low-key affair.
Staff Writer
The party faithful of both stripes will gather Saturday for county conventions, and East Texas Democrats say a record turnout in their March 4 primary will mean unprecedented participation in what's usually a low-key affair.
The Republican and Democratic parties each hold county conventions to choose delegates to their respective state conventions later this summer. The Democratic participants will also help choose some important "pledged delegates" in the tight presidential race between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama.
Smith County Democratic officials say they expect between 500 and 850 people to attend their convention, slated for 9 a.m. Saturday in the Family Life Center of St. Louis Baptist Church, 4000 Frankston Highway (Texas Highway 155 just inside Loop 323).
"The delegates and alternates anticipated at the convention represent an approximate 10-fold increase in average participation at precinct conventions," said Karen Wilkerson, primary administrator and executive secretary of the party. "We needed a larger facility to accommodate the approximately 850 delegates and alternates elected at the precinct conventions elected on March 4."
In Smith County, the delegations are subdivided into the three Senate districts. Senate District 1 will send 24 Democratic delegates; Senate District 2 will send 14; and Senate District 3 will send eight delegates. The same number of alternates will be selected.
The Smith County Republican Party will hear from Sen. John Cornyn, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, during its event, scheduled for 1 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal School, 2695 SSW Loop 323.
"Our party is grassroots driven," says Smith County Republican Chair Marcia Daughtrey. "The Republican county conventions are the orderly second step in our process of choosing our candidates and delegates, as well as writing our platform."
Republicans in Senate District 1 will send 54 delegates to the state convention in June; Senate District 2 will send five, and Senate District 3 will send 21. The same number of alternates will be chosen.
The party conventions are open to the public. But to participate, voters will need to have been selected as a delegate at the precinct conventions on the night of March 4.
HENDERSON COUNTY
Henderson County Democrats also expect a big turnout on Saturday - and they've set up food and entertainment for the event.
Henderson County Democrats also expect a big turnout on Saturday - and they've set up food and entertainment for the event.
"Come prepared for a large, boisterous convention," says Henderson County Democratic Chairman Ray Smith.
Music, speakers and lunch are planned for the expected 500 participants.
The Henderson County Democratic convention will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Henderson County Fairgrounds Senior Citizens Center on Texas Highway 31 in Athens.
The Henderson County Republican Party will hold its convention at 10 a.m. at the Republican Party Headquarters, 119 N. Palestine St. in Athens.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Democrats meet at 10 a.m. in the district courtroom on the second floor of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 135 S. Main St. in Rusk.
Democrats meet at 10 a.m. in the district courtroom on the second floor of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 135 S. Main St. in Rusk.
Republicans meet at 10 a.m. in the county courtroom on the first floor of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 135 S. Main St. in Rusk.
GREGG COUNTY
Democrats will meet at 10 a.m. in the Lobo Coliseum at Longview High School, 201 E. Tomlinson Parkway in Longview.
Democrats will meet at 10 a.m. in the Lobo Coliseum at Longview High School, 201 E. Tomlinson Parkway in Longview.
Republicans will meet at 9 a.m. at the Pine Tree High School Theater, 1005 W. Fairmont St. in Longview.
WOOD COUNTY
Republicans will meet at 10 a.m. at the Carroll Green Civic Center at 101 E. Goode St. in Quitman.
Republicans will meet at 10 a.m. at the Carroll Green Civic Center at 101 E. Goode St. in Quitman.
Democrats will meet in the same location at 2 p.m.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY
Democrats will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Ranchero Restaurant, 17280 Interstate 20 in Canton. That's on the north service road.
Democrats will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Ranchero Restaurant, 17280 Interstate 20 in Canton. That's on the north service road.
Republicans will meet 8 a.m. at the Canton Farm Bureau on Texas Highway 243.
ANDERSON COUNTY
Democrats will meet 10 a.m. in the district courtroom on the second floor of the Anderson County Courthouse, 500 N. Church St. in Palestine.
Democrats will meet 10 a.m. in the district courtroom on the second floor of the Anderson County Courthouse, 500 N. Church St. in Palestine.
Republicans will meet at 10 a.m. on the third floor of the courthouse.
UPSHUR COUNTY
Democrats will meet at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of the Upshur County Courthouse, 100 Tyler St. in Gilmer.
Democrats will meet at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of the Upshur County Courthouse, 100 Tyler St. in Gilmer.
Republicans will meet at 2 p.m. in the same location.
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