Voting and politics leaves it up to the individual as to how involved, or uninvolved, they can be. For those looking to take their interest into politics past the polling booth, the Gray County Republican Party offers a number of ways for one to do so.
Early voting continues today through Friday afternoon at the Gray County Courthouse located at 205 N. Russell.
After the polls close on March 1, there will be a Precinct Convention at MK Brown Civic Center.
Traditionally, the Precinct Convention is held at each of the seven polling locations for the voting precincts (not to be confused with county precincts). The seven voting precinct chairpersons are as follows (in order according to the precinct: Bridgette Hunt (Lefors), John Tripplehorn, Janyth Bowers, Tanner Hess (McLean), Brenda Guess, Kerrick Horton and Laura McGrath. These seven also make up the Gray County Republican Party Board.
Since Gray County Republican Party is still in its early stages, it will be held at the aforementioned MK Brown Civic Center.
“If anyone has any resolutions (ideas for legislation) they would like to present to the Party, they can present at that time,” Gray County Republican Party Chair Ann Franklin said. “But this is mainly for us to select our delegates for the County Convention.”
There were 10 delegates and 10 alternates selected for the last election cycle, but the amount of delegates is dependent on the amount of local voters in the governor’s race.
The County Convention will be on March 26 at 9 a.m. in the Chamber of Commerce/Pampa EDC building.
“We really want it to be County-wide with people coming from all over to be a part of this,” Franklin said. “I want to see the Party get active. We know Gray County is Republican, but we want to see it get active. Borger has a very active Party, and Amarillo (Potter/Randall) has one, too. We’ve had our forums and have gone with the Republican Women, they play a big part of this.
“I’d like to see us have a class/seminar to have someone come and talk to us about the Constitution and State laws. There are so many people that are knowledgeable that have said they wouldn’t mind coming in and talking to us.”
Franklin added she would like to see the Republican Party also be able to educate the younger, school-aged population, as well.
Resolutions will be presented again at the County Convention and at that point the delegates for the State Convention will be selected.
“The more people we get to come out and vote, the more delegates we can send,” Franklin said. “The delegates go to the State Convention and represent us while voting for all of the resolutions presented to the Party.”
Delegates at the State Convention can also serve on one of three committees: rules/regulations, resolution and credentials. The State Convention will be held on June 16-18 at 10 a.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas, 79110.
Precinct 5 chair Brenda Guess said it would be a neat experience for those interested in the political arena to learn about the conventions and what they are there for.
“When I was a young adult, you know what the national convention is but you’re not sure how you get to that convention,” Guess said. “This will tell you how to get to the national convention. You start with your precincts, you go to your County Convention, etc.”
After the State Convention, it’s business as usual as far as politics are concerned and campaigns are in place against their opponents.
Outside of attending the conventions and joining either the Gray County Republican Party and the Top O’ Texas Republican Women, those looking to get their foot in the door in the political arena are encouraged to serve as polling location workers.
Those interested in joining the Republican Party call Ann Franklin at 806-662-2727. For those interested in joining the Top O’ Texas Republican Women, call Franklin or Jana Vinson at 806-662-5543.
